Alexandra Cousteau

• Explorer
• Film-maker
• Global water advocate
• UN ‘Earth Trustee’
• National Geographic ‘Emerging Explorer’, 2008
• Water Advisor and spokesperson for the Live Earth 2010 Run for Water Winner of the Human Security Award at University of California, 2011

Alexandra Cousteau has achieved many well-deserved accolades for her work concerning water. Her spirited and knowledgeable manner make her the ideal choice to inspire others to care for the environment.

Cousteau is an environmentalist, explorer and founder of two not-for-profit organisations which concentrate on the conservation of the worlds water, for the benefit of nature and humankind.

Alexandra Cousteau’s background

The daughter of Philippe Cousteau, the filmmaker and oceanographer, and the granddaughter of Jacques-Yves Cousteau, the famous explorer, Alexandra Cousteau was born in California. She spent some of her childhood in the United States and some in France but also travelled extensively with her family. At a young age, she was encouraged to explore and engage with the environment by both her father and her grandfather. She studied at Georgetown University in Washington DC, graduating with a B.Sc. in Political Science (International Relations).

Inspired Environmentalist

Having been inspired by her family’s passion for adventure and the natural world, Alexandra soon began to follow in their footsteps. With her brother Philippe, she founded EarthEcho International in 2000. The non-profit organisation aims to educate, encourage and enable young people to preserve the environment. The organisation focuses primarily on protecting water supplies and the oceans.

Blue Legacy

In 2008, Alexandra founded a non-profit organisation called Blue Legacy. The aim of this project is to educate and engage people of all ages and backgrounds around the globe about water related issues. Blue Legacy hopes to create further awareness of environmental concerns such as pollution, climate change and the loss of habitats and rational ways of living. Water is a factor in all of these matters and is vital to life on Earth and Blue Legacy aims to ensure that everyone is aware of how individuals, communities and governments can make a difference. In order to convey the message as clearly as possible, Alexandra and her team have tried to create an approachable and modern Blue Legacy; unlike many other organisations, social media and emerging technologies are used as well as traditional methods of communication. In order to effectively show those who may not have seen first-hand the plight of oceans and environments, films and talks based around real explorations are used. Blue Legacy has so far produced more than 80 unique educational films and has a media library of images and footage which are free to charities, educational institutes and certain publishers.

Discovery Channel

Alexandra began working for the Discovery Channel in 2009. With brother Philippe, she hosted the channels Blue August, which focuses on water, oceans and shores. She also works as Chief Correspondent on Water Issues for Discoverys Planet Green.

Exploring Water Issues In 2009, Blue Legacy was responsible for a global exploration of water-related issues. The exploration saw five continents and took a hundred days. Footage of the explorations was made available online and unique film and photographs obtained.

Alexandra led a Blue Planet Expedition: North America team around the USA, Mexico and Canada in June 2010. The exploration lasted 138 days and investigated and documented water supply and use problems around North America and the solutions used or suggested. The landmark expedition was National Geographics first to be covered by live social media. Blue Legacy is using findings, footage and contacts from the expedition for much of their current work.

Personal Life

Alexandra is married to Fritz Neumeyer and the couple are proud parents to daughter Clementine Fredrique Neumeyer Cousteau. As a mother she is keen to help her daughter grow up happy and healthy and was keen to avoid toxins whilst pregnant, removing them from her diet and home environment as much as was possible. An inspirational mum, Alexandra hopes to be able to help Clementine to explore our beautiful blue planet from a young age, just as she did.