FEATURED GUEST SPEAKER
Philippe Cousteau

Philippe Cousteau is the twenty- six year-old son of Jan and Philippe Cousteau Sr., and the grandson of Captain Jacques-Yves Cousteau. As a member of the legendary family, Philippe is continuing the work of his father and grandfather by educating the public about environmental and conservation issues and inspiring individuals to become better stewards of our water planet.

Philippe is president of EarthEcho International, a non-profit environmental education and conservation organization founded by Philippe and his sister Alexandra in memory of their father. Through EarthEcho, Philippe is currently producing several media and documentary projects, including a series of radio adventures for “Living on Earth,” National Public Radio’s weekly environmental program. In addition, EarthEcho seeks to leverage new and emerging media platforms to offer compelling storytelling with a modern pop sensibility. Philippe is also founder and president of Thalassa Ventures Corporation, a consulting and media development company, Philippe was recently named chief ocean correspondent for Discovery’s Animal Planet Channel, where he is creating a series of ocean documentary programs. He has been featured in several television and radio programs across the country and has produced, directed, and written public service announcements for cable television about issues facing our environment. He served as executive producer, co-director, and writer for a documentary film on the Everglades, which reached half a million students, aired on public television in the southwest, and garnered him a National Education Award nomination . He has written articles for Sport Diver Magazine US, National Geographic Magazine, and Caribbean Adventure, among others, and has lectured at such institutions as The United Nations, Harvard University, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, museums, aquariums, and numerous schools and conferences.

Philippe serves on the Boards of Directors of the Blue Frontier Foundation , the Environmental Project, and the National Environmental Education & Training Foundation; the Honorary Board of the Everglades Foundation; the Advisory Board of the Algalita Marine Research Foundation, the Global Peace Film Festival, and the Ocean Energy Council; and is a member of the Smithsonian Institution’s Ocean Science Initiative Council. He holds a Master’s degree in history from St. Andrews University.

Philippe’s travels have taken him diving, rock climbing, trekking, and snowboarding around the world. From expeditions in the highlands of New Guinea to war-torn Sarajevo, where he provided humanitarian aid, he has learned that exploring the connections between humans and the environment are as important as exploring nature itself.

Energy Expo 2006