Jean Michel Cousteau
Protecting the Ocean’s Legacy with
In Volume 2, join the legendary Jean-Michel Cousteau as he embarks on a new, awe-inspiring adventure in the world of ocean life. Dive deeper into the mysteries of our planet’s most vital ecosystem and discover what’s next in his mission to protect and preserve our oceans for generations to come. Prepare to be captivated by the wonders of the deep!
Interview with Alexia Melocchi
Jean Michel Cousteau needs no introduction: he is an icon and the Founder of Ocean Futures Society. A French oceanographic explorer, environmentalist, educator, and award-winning producer and the son of Jacques Cousteau.
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By Alexia Melocchi
Your passion for the Ocean is palpable. You’re about to have a critical fundraiser event at the Ritz Carlton on November 10th in Santa Barbara, the 78 Years of Diving and Discovery Gala, which will celebrate your career and share the magic of whales. Many Hollywood celebrities are very outspoken about protecting the Oceans and wildlife, but what can we all do to make a change, to make a difference?
Jean Michel Cousteau:: Everybody can contribute to ensuring the human species will not disappear. Education is critical, and that’s why I am honored to work with the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in six different locations worldwide. We aim to communicate with visitors who come there and ensure they have access to information they might not otherwise have. Our programs often focus on young people because they are the decision-makers of tomorrow. Young people are like sponges; they absorb everything and never forget it. So, it’s crucial to focus on young people because what they absorb will always be there. These young people often become better decision-makers when they grow up.
What about adults??
Jean Michel Cousteau: : I have the privilege of sitting down with decision-makers, whether it’s in politics, government, or industries. And I never accuse them. I never point a finger. I try to reach their heart. Everybody has a heart.
It’s truly inspiring to see your commitment to education and your belief in the potential of young people. And I’m sure they are fortunate to have you as a mentor. You said your father put a tank on your back and pushed you onto a boat when you were seven, making you a scuba diver. You’ve since dedicated your life to exploring the underwater world. What is the difference between going to SeaWorld and being in the Ocean, amongst the wildlife?
Jean Michel Cousteau: I began my journey underwater thanks to my dad and his colleagues, who co-invented the scuba diving equipment. When you’re in the Ocean, you’re weightless. You can be upside down, and it doesn’t matter. This weightlessness is incredibly liberating and allows you to explore a different world. I’ve been scuba diving for 78 years. Every time I’m in the water, I see something new—new species, new animal behaviors, unique interactions between creatures, and the fascinating behaviors of underwater plants. This constant learning and discovery are what fuel my passion for diving. The Ocean holds countless mysteries, and I believe that the more we explore and understand it, the better equipped we are to protect it.
I was going to ask you what keeps you so vibrant and ageless.
Jean Michael Cousteau:: I am 85. And I intend to grow until I’m 107 because I want to celebrate 100 years of scuba diving. And I will continue for those years to come to share the privilege and the information that I have accumulated with my colleagues, my friends, people who care, and there are more and more of those people. But time is of the issue. And the sooner we take care of the Ocean, the better off we will make it. No other species can have the privilege that we have to decide not to disappear. It’s our choice.
Why is the focus of the November fundraiser on whales?
Jean Michael Cousteau: Whales are the ones who recycle most of the CO2 and are creating the air that we breathe and much more. And so, we need to protect them. Ocean Futures, as you know, is a not-for-profit company that also produces content. And we want to start with whales. We began before the catastrophe took place in Maui, where the humpback whales and many other species came and the mothers with their babies, and we were able to film them from a drone and see that a mother had a baby this year. There are probably 1000 species of animals and plants in the Ocean. Things we don’t even know anything about, how can we protect them? Or understand them? And that’s what I learned from my dad when I was a kid, and I never stopped. And that’s why I dive!
If you were to be reborn, and come back as a sea creature, which sea creature would you choose to be?
Jean Michael Cousteau: The Orca. It’s the biggest of the dolphins. They have been called killer whales, and that’s wrong. They are the most sophisticated creatures in the Ocean. They are in every Ocean, which means 70% of the planet, and they oversee the entire ocean. We need to release the most intelligent and sophisticated creatures and stop putting them in captivity. They communicate with a different communication system, which is their primary sense. And, of course, smell is very important. And vision comes when the water is clear. I would love to be an Orca and communicate with the other families on the planet.
What are the most significant threats humans pose to the Ocean’s delicate ecosystems? Is it plastics, oil spills, climate change, or a combination of these factors?
Jean Michel Cousteau: Humans are the most significant threat to the Ocean. We must remember that one of our primary senses is vision, and we are very sensitive to what we see, such as plastic pollution. However, other threats exist, like chemicals and pollution from various sources, including pharmaceuticals. When we take a pill, it eventually finds its way into the Ocean, often carrying heavy metals. We need to address these issues before they reach the Ocean. The public, even those who don’t live near the Ocean, must realize that we are all connected to it. For example, when we see snow on a mountain, it’s still part of the Ocean, and the water we drink is sourced from the Ocean through the water cycle. So, our impact on the Ocean is far-reaching, and we must change our behavior and protect it. Education is crucial in this process.
You have a background in architecture, and you once dreamed of building a city underwater. Can you tell us more about that dream and whether it’s still something you’re pursuing?
Jean Michel Cousteau: As a child, I expressed my desire to my parents to become an architect and build underwater cities. My father encouraged me to follow my dreams, so I pursued an architecture degree and even built schools in
Madagascar. However, my path led me to the Ocean and marine conservation, my lifelong passion. The dream of underwater cities remains a concept that captures my imagination. Still, I focus on exploring and preserving the natural world beneath the waves. Our planet is a water planet, and the Ocean is the cornerstone of life on Earth. Our priority should be to protect and understand the existing ecosystems rather than building artificial ones.
Do you have any upcoming projects or initiatives to share with our readers?
Jean Michel Cousteau: I’m continuously involved in various projects, including my work with the Ocean Futures Society and the Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort in Fiji. I’m also working on several documentary films to inspire and educate people about the Ocean and its importance. My message is simple: The Ocean is our life support system, and we must protect it for our sake and the sake of future generations. I encourage everyone to get involved, whether through education, supporting conservation organizations, or making sustainable choices in their daily lives.
For more information about Ocean Futures Society Visit:
Special Thanks to:
Jean Michel Cousteau
Ocean Futures Society
Nan Marr
Carrie Vonderhaar
National Marine Sanctuary Foundation
Dina Morrone
The Eden Magazine previous interview with Jean Michel Cousteau
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