Jean-Michel Cousteau

Jean-Michel Cousteau

"Explorer, environmentalist, educator, film producer - for more than four decades Jean-Michel Cousteau has used his vast experiences to communicate to people of all nations and generations his love and concern for our water planet.

"As Executive Vice President of The Cousteau Society for nearly 20 years, and now as Founder and President of Ocean Futures Society, Jean-Michel travels the globe, meeting with leaders and policymakers at the grassroots level and at the highest echelons of government and business. He is dedicated to educating young people, documenting stories of change and hope, and lending his reputation and support to energize alliances for positive change. Ocean Futures Society, a non-profit marine conservation and education organization, serves as a voice for the ocean by communicating in all media the critical bond between people and the sea and the importance of wise environmental policy. As Ocean Futures' leader, Jean-Michel serves as an impassioned diplomat for the environment, reaching out to the public through a variety of media.

"His collaboration with Green Cross International and the Natural Resources Defense Council on issues of global water security, protection of sensitive marine areas, prevention of oil spills, and prevention of the use of damaging sonar systems have been long-standing achievements. Jean-Michel has served as a spokesman on water issues at the United Nations World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg, at the 3rd World Water Forum in Kyoto, and at the Dialogues on Water for Life and Security in Barcelona.

"In 1998, Jean-Michel was honored with the Environmental Hero Award, presented to him by Vice President Gore at the White House National Oceans Conference. His diplomatic achievements as a voice for the ocean were recognized in December 2003 when he was the first person to receive the Ocean Hero Award from Oceana, recognising his commitment to communicate the value of the oceans and the threats they face to people of all nations and generations."

His son is Fabien Cousteau.

• Cofounder, Better World Society
• Honorary Board, Green Cross International
• Advisory Council, Nuclear Age Peace Foundation
• Member, Ocean Elders