Celine Cousteau the Environmental Advocate

Green is the New Black

The granddaughter of legendary ocean explorer Jacques Cousteau is making her own waves as an environmental advocate, adventurer and marine researcher. She shares thoughts on climate change, a "green" world, and her grandpère, the legendary Jacques Cousteau.

I am looking at ways to make the whole human/natural world connection more relevant to people on a practical basis. I've talked about expeditions and beautiful places, and that makes people dream and want to travel. But to bring it back to the practical is what really matters.

The environment is hugely important in the upcoming election, especially when you consider things like Al Gore's An Inconvenient Truth and how much attention that got. At some point, people need to recognize that green is not about fashion.

Some say, “Green is the new black.” No, it's not. Green is a way of life. Green is the future. We don't have any choice.

There's no doubt, if you present valid scientific research and data, that [global warming] is happening. There's the argument that the Earth has gone through an ice age, and it's gone through heating before. But we are here now. We're going to have to deal with this! How can you not? It's a fact that it is happening. So let's get over your argument about why it's happening and address the issue that it is happening. What are you going to do?

Green Women in an Environment Conscious World

I see women as very powerful agents of social change. The female community, once they get involved in a project, will stay involved much longer than men do. Men are quicker to contribute, but I think that once the female consumer becomes aware of what her choices are, you really have stronger long-term advocates.

La Prairie's New Advanced Biology Cream was brought to my attention, along with their use of aquaculture. I'm not in the fashion and beauty industry, so [acting as their spokesperson] is all very new to me. But as I learned how they use aquaculture to harvest the marine plants rather than take them from the ocean, I found it intriguing that a luxury company was thinking not only of their products, but also of their impact on the environment. By growing these plants in a lab, they're not taking from the fragile marine ecosystem.

For a long time, environmental advocates have been thought of as Birkenstock-wearing tree-huggers. That's not the case anymore. More and more, it's acceptable that women are independent and powerful, and they are leaders. Hopefully I can serve as an example, as an inspiration to young girls of all they can become. We can be outgoing, adventurous, active, and beautiful and feminine at the same time.

The Cousteau Legacy

Growing up, my family never raised me to think we were any different. Yes, my grandfather was famous, that is undeniable, but, at the same time, we were like everybody else. It wasn't until later on that there was name recognition within my own generation. Kids wouldn't necessarily ask questions, but in high school and college, they'd be like, “Oh, Cousteau. Jacques?” And I'd go, “Wow, everybody knows!”

It was all those personal moments with my grandfather that were special, in Paris or Monaco, and at Christmas. People ask, “What was he like?” Well, he was my grandfather! He told me stories and tried to convince me that Santa Claus was real. He was a very patient person, even with children. We just hung out. He told cool stories.

I hope to be able to inspire the next generation that they can really make a difference and feel that they have a stake in [the planet]. I think our generation is getting really cautious about what's going on, but the college kids are going to be the ones who take over. So for them to feel empowered and that they are intricately connected to the environment, I hope that's the message I can get across.