Alexandra Cousteau

Alexandra Cousteau: Profile

A National Geographic "Emerging Explorer, filmmaker and globally recognized advocate on water issues, Alexandra Cousteau continues the work of her renowned grandfather Jacques-Yves Cousteau and her father Philippe Cousteau, Sr. She has mastered the remarkable storytelling tradition handed down to her and has the unique ability to inspire audiences on the often the weighty issues of policy, politics and action. Alexandra is dedicated to advocating the importance of conservation and sustainable management of water in order to preserve a healthy planet. Her global initiatives seek to inspire and empower individuals to protect not only the ocean and its inhabitants, but also the human communities that rely on freshwater resources.

Before hitting the road in 2010 for Expedition Blue Planet: North America, Alexandra served as the Water Advisor and spokesperson for the global Live Earth 2010 Run for Water—a project that teams her public advocacy on environmental issues with actress Jessica Biel, musician Pete Wentz and many more.

In early 2009, Alexandra joined the Discovery Channel line-up, co-hosting Blue August with her brother Philippe, Jr. and serving as a Chief Correspondent on Water Issues for Discovery’s Planet Green.

In 2008, she was honored as a National Geographic “Emerging Explorer”—an elite group of eleven visionary young trailblazers from around the world who push the boundaries of discovery, adventure, and global problem solving.

Alexandra has been honored as an “Earth Trustee” by the UN, named a “Principle Voice” by CNN International, and regularly delivers testimony on critical policy issues before governmental agencies. In 2010, Alexandra and her brother Philippe were named to Vanity Fair’s coveted “Next” list.

She currently serves as a Senior Advisor for Oceana, on the prestigious Young Global Leaders Council and Global Agenda Council on Oceans of the World Economic Forum; the Board of Directors of the Global Water Challenge, Mother Nature Network, and EarthEcho; the Leadership Council for the Waterkeeper Alliance; the Science Advisory Council for George Mason University; the International Advisory Board of Bloomsbury Qatar Foundation Journals/QScience.com; and the steering committee of The Shark Alliance. She is also a Parent Ambassador with Healthy Child Healthy World.

Alexandra’s work regularly earns global recognition including the University of California Irvine’s Human Security Award, the South Carolina Aquarium’s Legacy Award, the Arava Institute’s Peace Building and Environmental Stewardship Award, and features at the National Press Club, the Royal Ontario Museum, Harvard University, and the Smithsonian Institute. She is regularly featured in publications ranging from Glamour and Elle to National Geographic and Scientific American and was named a “Fun Fearless Phenom” along with Tyra Banks by Cosmopolitan magazine.