Earth Promise “21 in 21″ Interview Series – Alexandra Cousteau
Alexandra Cousteau, a globally recognized advocate on water quality and policy, continues the work of her renowned grandfather Jacques Yves and father Philippe Cousteau. At 32, she has already mastered the remarkable storytelling tradition handed down to her through the generations, and has the unique ability to draw audiences into the weighty issues of policy, politics, and action. Alexandra is a National Geographic Emerging Explorer and a CNN International Principal Voice, a graduate of Georgetown University, and a lifelong explorer and activist. She established Blue Legacy in 2008, an organization dedicated to inspiring people around the world to take action on critical water issues. Earth Promise: What changes, or Earth Promises as we call them, have you made in your lifestyle to be more green? Changes in home, travel, work, shopping and community? Alexandra Cousteau: Being “green” or “blue” is a lifestyle choice. Personally, I try to follow all the rules about conserving water and find that it is easy!! For example, don’t leave your faucet running while you brush your teeth. Take shorter showers. Install low-flow toilets and shower heads. Put a bowl in your sink or shower to catch water as you wait for it to heat up, then use that water for your garden. Only run appliances when they are full. Use a car wash rather washing you car in your driveway- it uses less water and recycles the water that is used. Minimize evaporation from your pool by using a pool cover. And water your lawn in the evenings to prevent evaporation! To avoid pollute water, use environmentally-friendly products for your dishwasher, soaps, washing machines. Don’t use chemical fertilizers, only organic substances. Recycle all your cooking and motor oil, paint thinners, medications, and other substances you have in your home or garage. Remember that everything you put down your sink or down the gutter goes into our water supply! EP: You come from a family of internationally esteemed explorers and naturalists. How did this help shape your perception of the world and the work you do today? AC: My grandfather Jacques-Yves Cousteau and father Philippe were certainly great influences in my life, as well as other extraordinary people such as Muhammad Yunus and Sylvia Earle. Exploration and discovery have always been part of my life, not only of places but also of ideas. While my grandfather’s generation traveled the world discovering new places, its up to our generation to deliver the innovations that conserve our resources and protect our planet. EP: What was your first, ah ha! Green moment? AC: I never really had one. It just was always a part of my life, something I just took for granted. EP: Much of your work focuses on our hydrosphere. What is the biggest threat to our planet’s waters today, and how can we go about eliminating this threat? AC: We live on a water planet. It is a unique place in that it is the only planet we know of that supports life. Yet water, the primary life support system on this planet, is being mismanaged, polluted, and overused. In addition, water will be the primary vehicle through which climate change will be felt, whether through drought and desertification, floods and increased severity of storms, melting poles and glaciers as well as rising sea levels. The most important issue we are facing is redefining what it means to live on a water planet and engaging people around the world to be part of that solution. EP: You are currently working on the project, The Expedition: Blue Planet. Tell me about what it is and what your goals are? AC: My goal for Expedition: Blue Planet is to chronicle the interconnectivity of water. A key aspect of the project will be its ability to show how individual stories are part of the larger, universal story of an interdependent, global water ecosystem. In this way, we will create a new vision for what it means to live in a world where water is our most precious resource, and a plan for what we must do to protect it. I created Blue Legacy to tell the story of our water planet to the world, to inspire people to take action on critical water issues in meaningful ways and to help shape society’s dialogue to include water as one of the defining issues of our century and the primary vehicle through which climate change will be felt. That’s the mission statement. If you ask me to paint the picture, I’d tell you this: For too long those of us in environmental circles have asked people to protect things they’ve never experienced. My grandfather lived by the motto “let’s go and see.” I want to build on this legacy by “going and seeing” and also taking people along for the ride—helping my generation see first hand how fragile this amazing planet’s water resources truly are. When my father and grandfather would go into the field, they’d shoot for weeks and weeks and then return home for months of editing behind closed doors before the public ever got a chance to hear their story. As the third generation of Cousteau storytellers, I’m so lucky in that I can take my friends from Facebook, my followers on Twitter, my subscribers on YouTube and those who connect with me across so many other platforms right along with me into the field to explore critical issues. We get questions and suggestions from our audiences nearly every day that prompt us to explore a location or issue differently. It’s amazing to see people making a difference on the issue before I even clear security and get back on the plane to head home. EP: Of your many accomplishments, which are you most proud of? Which do you think will have the most enduring legacy? AC: I get this question a lot and I always refuse to answer it directly. I am committed to live my life in a way that re-writes that “most proud of” banner every single day. A month ago I would have told you that I was so proud to have finally explored the Ganges and have been able to tell the story of that threatened goddess, but today I’m so excited to be with my team exploring the challenges and incredible innovations going on with water in the West Bank region of the world. EP: The project has taken you all over the world including India, Botswana, Cambodia and many other places. In addition, I am guessing you have traveled to many other countries in hopes of educating people about the importance of conservation and sustainable management of water resources. How have different countries reacted to these messages? Which would you consider leaders? AC: Water is our most critical life support system and it the primary vehicle through which climate change will be felt. Water issues are relevant all over the world and the quote we heard most often repeated is “water is life”. On this planet of 7 billion people, water is the one thing that every individual has in common. People I’ve met from all over the world are realizing this and working to conserve and protect this vital resource. EP: People are concerned with the global warming and air quality. That is what we hear about all the time. But the oceans are not in great shape either with pollution, waste, etc. What message do you want to send to this audience about ocean awareness? AC: All our water resources are connected through the water cycle and the oceans are downstream from all of us. We must take individual action to be part of the solution in our own communities and support initiatives at a larger level that protect our freshwater/ocean environments. EP: What can the average person do to help conserve water and have a positive effect on the Earth’s oceans? AC: I challenge people to act in four areas: Source, Consumption, Impact and Vision. Know the source of your water. I’m convinced that the more people learn about where the water in their life comes from—from the central source such as a municipal reservoir or well system to the water sheds, groundwater and weather systems that impact them—the more likely they are to get involve in local environmental issues. Everyone is an environmentalist when they have a glass of water in their hand. Measure and monitor your personal consumption of water. Politics and local supply aside, there’s simply no excuse for wasting resources. I’m sure the Cousteau house wasn’t the only place where kids grew up hearing the constant reminder to shut off the lights and turn off the faucet. There are tons of great sites out there with ridiculously simple ways each of us can cut back. It’s always a little shocking when you really start monitoring how much goes down the drain. When it comes to “impact,” knowledge is power. As responsible consumers and citizens, it’s up to each of us to know more about the water footprint of the products we buy and brands we shop and to reward those companies and brands that are working hard to invest in innovation and make a difference. I challenge my generation to step away from the protest signs of the past and speak up from their shopping carts, investment accounts, product reviews and social profiles. We have the great privilege of growing up in an era of almost unlimited information. I challenge today’s water advocates to make their product reviews, sustainable seafood discoveries, local recycling options, etc a part of their Tweets, Facebook, and overall social exchange. Finally, I challenge people to look for an opportunity beyond their immediate circle to get involved—to contribute time, talent and/or resources to a water-related effort that fits their overall personal vision. For some, this means taking an alternative vacation and volunteering on a cleanup or water well project. For others, this involves financial support of a worthwhile waster-related NGO or non-profit. One of the key missions of Blue Legacy is to uncover the critical water issues of our times and then to help those who connect with us find creative and meaningful ways to get involved. EP: If I live in the middle of the United States, why should I be concerned about our oceans? AC: There are two reasons that everyone should be concerned about our oceans. Firstly, because the oceans are responsible for weather patterns, fisheries, transportation, tourism, and countless other “environmental services” that contribute to our societies, economy and our well being. Secondly, life on land could not exist without the oceans. We are connected to the oceans through the water cycle. If we the oceans die, so do we. Its that simple. EP: Green Advocates tend to work independent of the government. Is there a better way for the government and green organizations to work together? AC: I believe that every group should have a seat at the table and an opportunity to be part of the solution. This includes civil society, government, and the corporate sector as well as communities and individuals. In order for us to live in a truly sustainable society, everyone needs to be included. EP: How can parents, teachers and schools inspire kids about caring for our oceans and teach them about water conservation? AC: Experiential learning is without a doubt one of the most critical aspects of educating young people to care for the environment – starting at home, in backyards, playgrounds, and community parks. I believe that respect for the environment, locally or globally, starts at home. EP: What is the most vital message you hope people will hear that will lead them to take action? AC: Water connects every individual on this planet of 7 billion people. We are all downstream from one another and we must, for the sake of our families, our communities and ourselves, start working together to preserve and replenish our water resources. EP: What is the one Earth Promise you are going to make in the future that you have not done yet, either professionally or personally? AC: I always do as much a I can, but as new solutions continue to present themselves for less impactful living, I will definitely adopt it into my lifestyle. EP: Thank you very much. Great interview and very important information provided. 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