University of Vermont

Jean-Michel Cousteau, ocean explorer, filmmaker, and environmental activist, will speak and present one of his new films at the University of Vermont, Thursday, October 5, 2006, in the Ira Allen Chapel, from 5:00-6:30pm.

The event is free and open to the public.

“It is difficult to fault humans in the 15th Century for their decision to label our globe ‘Earth’ after the firm ground upon which they walked,” said Cousteau, son of the legendary explorer Jacques Cousteau, inventor of scuba diving. “Yet, had they the perspective of looking at our planet from space, they would have realized that the globe was covered almost three-fourths by water. Our planet should have been named ‘Ocean.’”

For more than four decades Jean-Michel Cousteau has used his vast experience to communicate the importance of the oceans and water—and the interconnectedness of the whole planet, from mountain rain to ocean basin—to people around the globe.

Today, as president of Ocean Futures Society, Cousteau travels extensively, meeting with leaders and policymakers, educating young people—and documenting stories of environmental change and hope through his films, including numerous shows on PBS.

Cousteau carried the “Torch For The Environment” in the 2004 Olympic Games in Greece, among many other awards and honors he has received.

The event is sponsored by the Rubenstein School of Environment & Natural Resources at the University of Vermont and ECHO at the Leahy Center for Lake Champlain.

On the same day, a DVD and book signing will be held by Cousteau at ECHO, One College Street, Burlington, from 12:30-1:30pm. His books and DVDs will be for sale at ECHO.

For directions and more information about Cousteau’s presentation visit the event's website or email the Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources.

For more information about Jean-Michel Cousteau, visit the Ocean Futures Society website.