Alexandra Cousteau
Encyclopedia
Alexandra Marguerite Clémentine Cousteau (born March 21, 1976) is the daughter of Philippe Cousteau
and the granddaughter of world famous French explorer and filmmaker Jacques-Yves Cousteau
. A dedicated environmentalist, Cousteau advocates the importance of conservation
, restoration and sustainable management of water
resources for a healthy planet and productive societies.
A member of the third generation of the Cousteau family to devote their lives to exploring and explaining the natural world, Cousteau first went on expedition
with her father, Philippe Cousteau, when she was four months old, and learned to scuba dive with her grandfather, Jacques-Yves Cousteau, when she was seven. She grew up traveling the globe, developed a passion for adventure
and learned firsthand the value of conserving the natural world. Of her father and grandfather, Cousteau says, "The best example they gave me was the importance of living a life of consequence, value, and meaning. I honor their memories by creating a legacy of my own in speaking out for the preservation of our blue planet and all its waters."
Born in California, Cousteau grew up in France and the United States. She earned her Bachelor of Science
degree in Political Science
(International Relations) from Georgetown University
in Washington DC. In 2000, Alexandra co-founded EarthEcho International with her brother Philippe Cousteau Jr.
to further her family’s legacy in science
, advocacy
, and education
.
Alexandra was selected as a National Geographic Emerging Explorer for the Class of 2008. She has spoken to audiences at the United Nations
, UNESCO
, Harvard University
, Smithsonian Institution
and Sea Rovers, among numerous other institutions, film festivals, and other events internationally. Cousteau is also a published author whose articles and/or columns have appeared in the Woodrow Wilson Center journal, Washington Life magazine, VSD (France), and Elle magazine(Spain) among others. She sits on the Board of Directors of EarthEcho International and the Global Water Challenge, Science Advosory Board for George Mason University and the steering committee of the Pew sponsored Shark Alliance. She is also a PADI-certified Divemaster
.
Alexandra is fluent in English, French and Spanish. She has served as a keynote speaker on environmental issues for the United Nations
, National Geographic, Harvard University
, the Smithsonian, the National Press Club, Bioneers and the Telluride Film Festival. Alexandra is regularly featured on CNN
International as a Principal Voice.
In 2008, Alexandra was named with Tyra Banks
as a 2008 Fun Fearless Phenom by Cosmopolitan magazine.
In 2008, Cousteau established the Blue Legacy organization to continue her family's work in protecting the Earth
's oceans. Since its inception, Blue Legacy has been on a mission to explore crucial water issues across the globe. Blue Legacy's mission takes form in three ventures; Expedition: Blue Planet, Blue Action Dialogues and Alexandra's upcoming book, "This Blue Planet."
Over the past year the Expedition: Blue Planet has been on a 100 day journey across 5 continents telling 8 critical water stories. Alexandra and Expedition: Blue Planet have filmed in India
, Botswana
, Cambodia
, Australia
, the Middle East
, the Mississippi River
and the Anacostia River
in Southeast Washington, D.C. The films from Expedition: Blue Planet were nominated at the 2009 Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival in the categories of "Best Web Presence" and "Best Use of Web 2.0/ New Media."
The inaugural Blue Action Dialogues will take place October 2009. The sessions will bring together some of the world's leading water scientists, policy experts and innovators to develop an annual platform for Blue Legacy.
Slated for a 2010 release, Alexandra is currently working on her first book titled, " This Blue Planet," with Penguin Publishing.
In 2009, Alexandra and her brother Philippe were honored with the legacy award at the South Carolina Aquarium's annual Environmental Stewardship Awards banquet.
In 2009, Alexandra joined the Discovery Channel
line-up, co-hosting “Blue August” with her brother Philippe, Jr also serving as a Chief Correspondent on Water Issues for Discovery's Planet Green.
In 2009, Alexandra was named a Revo Ambassador, partnering with Revo
to become the face of the eyewear company.
Alexandra will be involved with Live Earth
2010, founded by Kevin Wall
. This global event will take place on Earth Day 2010.
On May 4, 2011, Alexandra was awarded the 2011 Human Security Award at University of California, Irvine to recognize Cousteau's accomplishments and to raise awareness of the global water crisis.
Philippe Cousteau
Philippe Cousteau was a documentary film maker specializing in environmental issues, with a background in oceanography. He was the second son of Jacques-Yves Cousteau and Simone Cousteau....
and the granddaughter of world famous French explorer and filmmaker Jacques-Yves Cousteau
Jacques-Yves Cousteau
Jacques-Yves Cousteau was a French naval officer, explorer, ecologist, filmmaker, innovator, scientist, photographer, author and researcher who studied the sea and all forms of life in water...
. A dedicated environmentalist, Cousteau advocates the importance of conservation
Habitat conservation
Habitat conservation is a land management practice that seeks to conserve, protect and restore, habitat areas for wild plants and animals, especially conservation reliant species, and prevent their extinction, fragmentation or reduction in range...
, restoration and sustainable management of water
Water
Water is a chemical substance with the chemical formula H2O. A water molecule contains one oxygen and two hydrogen atoms connected by covalent bonds. Water is a liquid at ambient conditions, but it often co-exists on Earth with its solid state, ice, and gaseous state . Water also exists in a...
resources for a healthy planet and productive societies.
A member of the third generation of the Cousteau family to devote their lives to exploring and explaining the natural world, Cousteau first went on expedition
Exploration
Exploration is the act of searching or traveling around a terrain for the purpose of discovery of resources or information. Exploration occurs in all non-sessile animal species, including humans...
with her father, Philippe Cousteau, when she was four months old, and learned to scuba dive with her grandfather, Jacques-Yves Cousteau, when she was seven. She grew up traveling the globe, developed a passion for adventure
Adventure
An adventure is defined as an exciting or unusual experience; it may also be a bold, usually risky undertaking, with an uncertain outcome. The term is often used to refer to activities with some potential for physical danger, such as skydiving, mountain climbing and or participating in extreme sports...
and learned firsthand the value of conserving the natural world. Of her father and grandfather, Cousteau says, "The best example they gave me was the importance of living a life of consequence, value, and meaning. I honor their memories by creating a legacy of my own in speaking out for the preservation of our blue planet and all its waters."
Born in California, Cousteau grew up in France and the United States. She earned her Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
degree in Political Science
Political science
Political Science is a social science discipline concerned with the study of the state, government and politics. Aristotle defined it as the study of the state. It deals extensively with the theory and practice of politics, and the analysis of political systems and political behavior...
(International Relations) from Georgetown University
Georgetown University
Georgetown University is a private, Jesuit, research university whose main campus is in the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, D.C. Founded in 1789, it is the oldest Catholic university in the United States...
in Washington DC. In 2000, Alexandra co-founded EarthEcho International with her brother Philippe Cousteau Jr.
Philippe Cousteau Jr.
Philippe Pierre Jacques-Yves Arnault Cousteau, Jr. is the son of Philippe Cousteau, having been born several months after the death of his father, and the grandson of Jacques-Yves Cousteau...
to further her family’s legacy in science
Science
Science is a systematic enterprise that builds and organizes knowledge in the form of testable explanations and predictions about the universe...
, advocacy
Advocacy
Advocacy is a political process by an individual or a large group which normally aims to influence public-policy and resource allocation decisions within political, economic, and social systems and institutions; it may be motivated from moral, ethical or faith principles or simply to protect an...
, and education
Education
Education in its broadest, general sense is the means through which the aims and habits of a group of people lives on from one generation to the next. Generally, it occurs through any experience that has a formative effect on the way one thinks, feels, or acts...
.
Alexandra was selected as a National Geographic Emerging Explorer for the Class of 2008. She has spoken to audiences at the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
, UNESCO
UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
, Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
, Smithsonian Institution
Smithsonian Institution
The Smithsonian Institution is an educational and research institute and associated museum complex, administered and funded by the government of the United States and by funds from its endowment, contributions, and profits from its retail operations, concessions, licensing activities, and magazines...
and Sea Rovers, among numerous other institutions, film festivals, and other events internationally. Cousteau is also a published author whose articles and/or columns have appeared in the Woodrow Wilson Center journal, Washington Life magazine, VSD (France), and Elle magazine(Spain) among others. She sits on the Board of Directors of EarthEcho International and the Global Water Challenge, Science Advosory Board for George Mason University and the steering committee of the Pew sponsored Shark Alliance. She is also a PADI-certified Divemaster
Divemaster
A Divemaster is a diving qualification used throughout most of the world in scuba diving for a diver who has overall responsibility for a group of divers...
.
Alexandra is fluent in English, French and Spanish. She has served as a keynote speaker on environmental issues for the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
, National Geographic, Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
, the Smithsonian, the National Press Club, Bioneers and the Telluride Film Festival. Alexandra is regularly featured on CNN
CNN
Cable News Network is a U.S. cable news channel founded in 1980 by Ted Turner. Upon its launch, CNN was the first channel to provide 24-hour television news coverage, and the first all-news television channel in the United States...
International as a Principal Voice.
In 2008, Alexandra was named with Tyra Banks
Tyra Banks
Tyra Lynne Banks is an American model, media personality, actress, occasional singer, author and businesswoman. She first became famous as a model, but television appearances were her commercial breakthrough...
as a 2008 Fun Fearless Phenom by Cosmopolitan magazine.
In 2008, Cousteau established the Blue Legacy organization to continue her family's work in protecting the Earth
Earth
Earth is the third planet from the Sun, and the densest and fifth-largest of the eight planets in the Solar System. It is also the largest of the Solar System's four terrestrial planets...
's oceans. Since its inception, Blue Legacy has been on a mission to explore crucial water issues across the globe. Blue Legacy's mission takes form in three ventures; Expedition: Blue Planet, Blue Action Dialogues and Alexandra's upcoming book, "This Blue Planet."
Over the past year the Expedition: Blue Planet has been on a 100 day journey across 5 continents telling 8 critical water stories. Alexandra and Expedition: Blue Planet have filmed in India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
, Botswana
Botswana
Botswana, officially the Republic of Botswana , is a landlocked country located in Southern Africa. The citizens are referred to as "Batswana" . Formerly the British protectorate of Bechuanaland, Botswana adopted its new name after becoming independent within the Commonwealth on 30 September 1966...
, Cambodia
Cambodia
Cambodia , officially known as the Kingdom of Cambodia, is a country located in the southern portion of the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, the Middle East
Middle East
The Middle East is a region that encompasses Western Asia and Northern Africa. It is often used as a synonym for Near East, in opposition to Far East...
, the Mississippi River
Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains...
and the Anacostia River
Anacostia River
The Anacostia River is a river in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States. It flows from Prince George's County in Maryland into Washington, D.C., where it joins with the Washington Channel to empty into the Potomac River at Buzzard Point. It is approximately long...
in Southeast Washington, D.C. The films from Expedition: Blue Planet were nominated at the 2009 Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival in the categories of "Best Web Presence" and "Best Use of Web 2.0/ New Media."
The inaugural Blue Action Dialogues will take place October 2009. The sessions will bring together some of the world's leading water scientists, policy experts and innovators to develop an annual platform for Blue Legacy.
Slated for a 2010 release, Alexandra is currently working on her first book titled, " This Blue Planet," with Penguin Publishing.
In 2009, Alexandra and her brother Philippe were honored with the legacy award at the South Carolina Aquarium's annual Environmental Stewardship Awards banquet.
In 2009, Alexandra joined the Discovery Channel
Discovery Channel
Discovery Channel is an American satellite and cable specialty channel , founded by John Hendricks and distributed by Discovery Communications. It is a publicly traded company run by CEO David Zaslav...
line-up, co-hosting “Blue August” with her brother Philippe, Jr also serving as a Chief Correspondent on Water Issues for Discovery's Planet Green.
In 2009, Alexandra was named a Revo Ambassador, partnering with Revo
Revo
Revo may refer to:*Revo, the name of a remote controlled nitro powered truck manufactured by Traxxas*Revo-, a prefix which purportedly represents 10-33, with no official existence; see non-SI unit prefix*Psion Revo, a Personal Digital Assistant made by Psion...
to become the face of the eyewear company.
Alexandra will be involved with Live Earth
Live Earth
-Background:Founded by Emmy-winning producer Kevin Wall, in partnership with former U.S. Vice President Al Gore, Live Earth was built upon the belief that entertainment has the power to transcend social and cultural barriers to move the world community to action...
2010, founded by Kevin Wall
Kevin Wall
Kevin Wall, born March 15, 1952 in Fort Wayne, Indiana, is a producer, digital entrepreneur and environmentalist who creates and produces global events often viewed by a billion or more people...
. This global event will take place on Earth Day 2010.
On May 4, 2011, Alexandra was awarded the 2011 Human Security Award at University of California, Irvine to recognize Cousteau's accomplishments and to raise awareness of the global water crisis.