Jean-Michel Cousteau Speaks Out

Of all the names associated with the world’s oceans, perhaps none is more recognizable than that of “Cousteau.” Jean-Michel Cousteau, the son of pioneering ocean explorer Jacques Cousteau, is tirelessly carrying  on the tradition of caring for the world’s oceans through nonstop activities all over the globe. He founded Ocean Futures Society as a focal point of this work in 1999. Jean-Michel Cousteau has gained awareness and support for marine conservation by meeting with government and business leaders at the highest levels and through widespread grassroots activities. He has produced many films and TV specials to educate about the oceans, along the way receiving an Emmy, the Peabody Award, and the 7 d’Or. Among many awards and honors bestowed on many continents, Jean-Michel Cousteau was honored with the Environmental Hero Award by Vice President Al Gore. His interests include environmentalism on many levels and he is, not surprisingly, a fan of high-efficiency hybrid vehicles and a supporter of the hydrogen vehicles that will one day reduce auto emissions to, what else...just water. Here are his thoughts.

Green Car Journal: You are noted as an environmentalist, an explorer, and a caretaker of the oceans. How do your interests extend to land transportation?

Jean-Michel Cousteau: “My principal philosophy is ‘all things are connected.’ Earth is 70 percent ocean and we often focus only on land. But, both are inextricably linked to one another. Greenhouse gas emissions can cycle into acid rain and pollution of all kinds and end up in our universal water system. We must be good stewards of our land, air, and water resources.”

GCJ: You’ve said that we’re treating the planet like a “business in liquidation.” Could you elaborate?

JMC: “The words ‘economy’ and ‘ecology’ come from the same ancient word “ecos,” meaning ‘the house.’ We must take care of the house for both the economies and ecologies of the world. As residents of our planet, we can only survive if we live off the ‘interest’ of the environmental assets we were given. If we spend both the interest and consume the ‘capital’ of Earth – our life support system – we will go ‘bankrupt.’ Life as we know it will cease to exist. So, if we treat the planet as if we are ‘liquidating’ by over consumption and pollution, we as a living world will simply ‘go out of business’.”

GCJ: What are your thoughts about vehicle fuel economy and CO2 emissions?

JMC: “Fuel economy and greenhouse gases go hand in hand. If we are better and more efficient consumers, we will extend our energy supplies and reduce harmful emissions. One day, we will not be dependent on fossil fuels like we are now. Any step we can take toward that goal is critical.”

GCJ: Among the many high-profile alternative fuels in use today – hydrogen, natural gas, ethanol, biodiesel, and others– which do you feel offer the most potential?

JMC: “All have their role. Like all else in our world, it will be a compromise of trade offs that effect cost and efficiencies to the consumer. If people don’t buy it, the technology won’t matter. Best results, best performance, lowest cost will prevail.”

GCJ: Do you believe we can derive energy from the oceans?

JMC: “We are already deriving energy from our worldwide water systems through dams, hydroelectric plants, and other forms of transferring water into energy. This movement is growing toward the ocean itself. Turbine-driven plants powered by ocean currents and wave action are being proposed around the world. If this can be done sensitively with the ocean ecosystem, then I believe it should be part of our energy solutions for the future.”

GCJ: What about other sources of renewable energy such as wind and solar?

JMC: “Wind and solar power are far more advanced than ocean power to date. They have both proven their effectiveness and are a significant part of the energy grid in states like California. As these technologies progress, so will the hopes of humankind.”

GCJ: Immense amounts of oil, much of it destined to fuel motor vehicles, are transported on the world’s oceans. What are your thoughts about this?

JMC: “I have been a strong advocate of requiring the use of double-hulled tankers internationally. Our ocean is at extreme risk because of the aging fleet of tankers around the world. These are time bombs on our seas. Oil spills do more than spoil our beaches and kill aquatic life and sea birds. They ruin local economies and cultures that depend on the ocean. Safe cargo and transportation of fuel is essential to protect the ocean and societies.”

GCJ: What steps do you believe the auto industry should take to ensure more environ-mentally positive products?

JMC: “All industries need to do more. The clock is ticking on our planet. I believe many companies and industries are doing more today than ever before. It’s ultimately in their economic interests. One major step is that environmentalists and industries are sitting down and talking about how we can work together for the planet. A few decades ago, all we did was lock horns and that achieved very little. Dialogue will lead to action, and that’s what we all need.”

GCJ: Given all the technologies and fuels at play today, what would your ideal daily transportation vehicle be like?

JMC: “Such a vehicle would operate on a totally renewable resource that would benefit our ecological and economic goals. It would be safe and reduce the amount of space it requires to decrease congestion. And, it would know how to avoid traffic jams in Los Angeles!”

GCJ: Same question, but let’s focus on the sea since that’s where your passion takes you. What environmentally positive technologies and features would your ideal ship possess?

JMC: “We are making progress on transportation challenges facing our ocean. We are becoming more stringent about the discharge of pollution by ships into the ocean. We are making tankers and cargo vessels less susceptible to a breach. We are working with industries on keeping cargos on board and not subject to being tossed overboard in rough seas or by neglect. Fuel efficiency is an important matter for ships as well. Again, whether it’s land or the sea, all things are connected.”