Jean-Michel Cousteau Speaks Out
By Ron Cogan
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.”
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