[Music] now I’m curious I would like to see a
now I’m curious I would like to see a
now I’m curious I would like to see a show of hands how many of you when you
show of hands how many of you when you
show of hands how many of you when you hear the words climate change you think
hear the words climate change you think
hear the words climate change you think of this that’s about what I figured
of this that’s about what I figured
of this that’s about what I figured pretty much everybody now how many of
pretty much everybody now how many of
pretty much everybody now how many of you I wonder when you hear those same
you I wonder when you hear those same
you I wonder when you hear those same words think of this not quite as many
words think of this not quite as many
words think of this not quite as many growing up as a Cousteau my grandfather
growing up as a Cousteau my grandfather
growing up as a Cousteau my grandfather raised me to care about the environment
raised me to care about the environment
raised me to care about the environment and as an environmental advocate and a
and as an environmental advocate and a
and as an environmental advocate and a humanitarian a filmmaker an explorer
humanitarian a filmmaker an explorer
humanitarian a filmmaker an explorer this past year’s presidential election
this past year’s presidential election
this past year’s presidential election has been appalling not one single
has been appalling not one single
has been appalling not one single question about the environment in the
question about the environment in the
question about the environment in the entire any of the debates and for any of
entire any of the debates and for any of
entire any of the debates and for any of us that care about these issues this is
us that care about these issues this is
us that care about these issues this is a major wake-up call alarm bells should
a major wake-up call alarm bells should
a major wake-up call alarm bells should be ringing because we failed
be ringing because we failed
be ringing because we failed conservation is turned into the
conservation is turned into the
conservation is turned into the paralyzing partisan issue that is
paralyzing partisan issue that is
paralyzing partisan issue that is preventing us from taking action on some
preventing us from taking action on some
preventing us from taking action on some of the most important issues we face
of the most important issues we face
of the most important issues we face today how’s that going to change how are
today how’s that going to change how are
today how’s that going to change how are we going to change the dynamic when it
we going to change the dynamic when it
we going to change the dynamic when it comes to that well I believe that we can
comes to that well I believe that we can
comes to that well I believe that we can but in order to do so we have to end the
but in order to do so we have to end the
but in order to do so we have to end the posturing and the rhetoric and recognize
posturing and the rhetoric and recognize
posturing and the rhetoric and recognize that we need to reframe the conversation
that we need to reframe the conversation
that we need to reframe the conversation to change it from one that’s about
to change it from one that’s about
to change it from one that’s about burden to one that’s about opportunity
burden to one that’s about opportunity
burden to one that’s about opportunity and I have a vision there not that I
and I have a vision there not that I
and I have a vision there not that I believe that in the next 10 years we
believe that in the next 10 years we
believe that in the next 10 years we have the opportunity to end the
have the opportunity to end the
have the opportunity to end the partisanship around environmental issues
partisanship around environmental issues
partisanship around environmental issues in this country not going to be easy as
in this country not going to be easy as
in this country not going to be easy as I say now I want to take a second here
I say now I want to take a second here
I say now I want to take a second here to examine the stakes in 0ad
to examine the stakes in 0ad
to examine the stakes in 0ad there were 200 to 300 million people in
there were 200 to 300 million people in
there were 200 to 300 million people in the world let’s see about 2000 years
the world let’s see about 2000 years
the world let’s see about 2000 years later or so and my grandfather was born
later or so and my grandfather was born
later or so and my grandfather was born in 1910 there were 1.6 billion people on
in 1910 there were 1.6 billion people on
in 1910 there were 1.6 billion people on this
this
this a little over 100 years later there were
a little over 100 years later there were
a little over 100 years later there were about seven billion people on this
about seven billion people on this
about seven billion people on this planet today and that by the middle of
planet today and that by the middle of
planet today and that by the middle of this century there’ll be somewhere
this century there’ll be somewhere
this century there’ll be somewhere around nine billion people on this
around nine billion people on this
around nine billion people on this planet and as we continue to add more
planet and as we continue to add more
planet and as we continue to add more and more people we continue to impact
and more people we continue to impact
and more people we continue to impact the environment and the more that we
the environment and the more that we
the environment and the more that we ignore that impact the more terrible
ignore that impact the more terrible
ignore that impact the more terrible consequences will continue to affect us
consequences will continue to affect us
consequences will continue to affect us now how many people here remember
now how many people here remember
now how many people here remember Hurricane sandy pretty much everybody
Hurricane sandy pretty much everybody
Hurricane sandy pretty much everybody that was a terrible terrible storm but
that was a terrible terrible storm but
that was a terrible terrible storm but you know what it was most terrible about
you know what it was most terrible about
you know what it was most terrible about it more surprising perhaps is that it
it more surprising perhaps is that it
it more surprising perhaps is that it wasn’t an anomaly what was unusual about
wasn’t an anomaly what was unusual about
wasn’t an anomaly what was unusual about that storm is how long New York had gone
that storm is how long New York had gone
that storm is how long New York had gone since such a serious serious storm if
since such a serious serious storm if
since such a serious serious storm if you look at the historical record
you look at the historical record
you look at the historical record typically they happen much much more
typically they happen much much more
typically they happen much much more often so hurricane sandy caused nine
often so hurricane sandy caused nine
often so hurricane sandy caused nine feet of storm surge and because of New
feet of storm surge and because of New
feet of storm surge and because of New York’s century of wanton destruction of
York’s century of wanton destruction of
York’s century of wanton destruction of its wetlands and it’s sand dunes that
its wetlands and it’s sand dunes that
its wetlands and it’s sand dunes that would have otherwise absorbed much of
would have otherwise absorbed much of
would have otherwise absorbed much of the damage from that storm it flooded up
the damage from that storm it flooded up
the damage from that storm it flooded up to 20% of New York City and caused over
to 20% of New York City and caused over
to 20% of New York City and caused over seventy billion dollars worth of damage
seventy billion dollars worth of damage
seventy billion dollars worth of damage and if you consider then that mid range
and if you consider then that mid range
and if you consider then that mid range predictions for sea level rise if they
predictions for sea level rise if they
predictions for sea level rise if they come true the next storm will make
come true the next storm will make
come true the next storm will make hurricane sandy look like a joke it will
hurricane sandy look like a joke it will
hurricane sandy look like a joke it will be so destructive more so than we could
be so destructive more so than we could
be so destructive more so than we could ever imagine but it’s not just here that
ever imagine but it’s not just here that
ever imagine but it’s not just here that the impacts of climate change and
the impacts of climate change and
the impacts of climate change and environmental degradation are taking
environmental degradation are taking
environmental degradation are taking hold it’s happening all over the world
hold it’s happening all over the world
hold it’s happening all over the world take Syria for example now some of you
take Syria for example now some of you
take Syria for example now some of you may be asking me well what does Syria
may be asking me well what does Syria
may be asking me well what does Syria have to do with climate change or
have to do with climate change or
have to do with climate change or environmental degradation
environmental degradation
environmental degradation well what many of you may not know is
well what many of you may not know is
well what many of you may not know is that in fact the roots of that conflict
that in fact the roots of that conflict
that in fact the roots of that conflict were caused by droughts unprecedented
were caused by droughts unprecedented
were caused by droughts unprecedented drought over the last decade or so in
drought over the last decade or so in
drought over the last decade or so in Syria that drove people out of the
Syria that drove people out of the
Syria that drove people out of the countryside the collapse of agricultural
countryside the collapse of agricultural
countryside the collapse of agricultural industry they fled to the cities and
industry they fled to the cities and
industry they fled to the cities and because of the pressure in those cities
because of the pressure in those cities
because of the pressure in those cities the inability to meet the needs of those
the inability to meet the needs of those
the inability to meet the needs of those people food and water and shelter the
people food and water and shelter the
people food and water and shelter the people protested and the government
people protested and the government
people protested and the government cracked down and that resulted in the
cracked down and that resulted in the
cracked down and that resulted in the full-scale civil war
full-scale civil war
full-scale civil war that we see today now consider this but
that we see today now consider this but
that we see today now consider this but we are well on our way to 2 degrees
we are well on our way to 2 degrees
we are well on our way to 2 degrees Celsius rise in global temperatures
Celsius rise in global temperatures
Celsius rise in global temperatures within the next few decades and then
within the next few decades and then
within the next few decades and then with every two degrees of rise in
with every two degrees of rise in
with every two degrees of rise in temperature we can expect about 1 meter
temperature we can expect about 1 meter
temperature we can expect about 1 meter rise in sea level at least 3 feet and
rise in sea level at least 3 feet and
rise in sea level at least 3 feet and that with every 3 feet rise in sea level
that with every 3 feet rise in sea level
that with every 3 feet rise in sea level a hundred million people will be
a hundred million people will be
a hundred million people will be displaced now let’s think about that in
displaced now let’s think about that in
displaced now let’s think about that in the context of Syria folks the civil war
the context of Syria folks the civil war
the context of Syria folks the civil war they’re displaced a million people that
they’re displaced a million people that
they’re displaced a million people that migrated to Europe seeking a better life
migrated to Europe seeking a better life
migrated to Europe seeking a better life and that has completely destabilized the
and that has completely destabilized the
and that has completely destabilized the entire global geopolitical status quo
entire global geopolitical status quo
entire global geopolitical status quo now imagine when it’s a hundred million
now imagine when it’s a hundred million
now imagine when it’s a hundred million people that are fleeing their homes over
people that are fleeing their homes over
people that are fleeing their homes over the next half a century what is that
the next half a century what is that
the next half a century what is that going to do and it’s it’s not just in
going to do and it’s it’s not just in
going to do and it’s it’s not just in developing countries it’s here in the
developing countries it’s here in the
developing countries it’s here in the United States the Southeast United
United States the Southeast United
United States the Southeast United States predictions for what one meter of
States predictions for what one meter of
States predictions for what one meter of sea level rise will do entire
sea level rise will do entire
sea level rise will do entire metropolitan areas underwater
metropolitan areas underwater
metropolitan areas underwater these are looming threats that we cannot
these are looming threats that we cannot
these are looming threats that we cannot afford to ignore one of the things that
afford to ignore one of the things that
afford to ignore one of the things that you may not know about me actually is
you may not know about me actually is
you may not know about me actually is that I have a degree in history from the
that I have a degree in history from the
that I have a degree in history from the University of st. Andrews in Scotland
University of st. Andrews in Scotland
University of st. Andrews in Scotland and I can tell you with certainty that
and I can tell you with certainty that
and I can tell you with certainty that the partisanship around conservation
the partisanship around conservation
the partisanship around conservation environmental issues was not always the
environmental issues was not always the
environmental issues was not always the case it was not always the political
case it was not always the political
case it was not always the political football that it is today
football that it is today
football that it is today in fact I dream of the good old days of
in fact I dream of the good old days of
in fact I dream of the good old days of Richard Nixon now Richard Nixon a very
Richard Nixon now Richard Nixon a very
Richard Nixon now Richard Nixon a very conservative president he was actually
conservative president he was actually
conservative president he was actually an incredible environmental advocate
an incredible environmental advocate
an incredible environmental advocate continuing decades of conservative and
continuing decades of conservative and
continuing decades of conservative and Republican support for environmental
Republican support for environmental
Republican support for environmental issues
issues
issues think about this Nixon he passed the
think about this Nixon he passed the
think about this Nixon he passed the Clean Air Act extension the safe water
Clean Air Act extension the safe water
Clean Air Act extension the safe water drinking act the Endangered Species Act
drinking act the Endangered Species Act
drinking act the Endangered Species Act he created NOAA and older horses the EPA
now why would he do something like that
now why would he do something like that right I mean the states who are so good
right I mean the states who are so good
right I mean the states who are so good and self-regulating themselves right you
and self-regulating themselves right you
and self-regulating themselves right you know one of the stays is my favorite
know one of the stays is my favorite
know one of the stays is my favorite Ohio you’ve probably heard of it
Ohio you’ve probably heard of it
Ohio you’ve probably heard of it Ohio was so proud of its achievements it
Ohio was so proud of its achievements it
Ohio was so proud of its achievements it threw a big party that’s right and even
threw a big party that’s right and even
threw a big party that’s right and even it’s part of that party a big bonfire no
it’s part of that party a big bonfire no
it’s part of that party a big bonfire no that way that sorry that’s different
that way that sorry that’s different
that way that sorry that’s different slide that’s not a bonfire that’s a
slide that’s not a bonfire that’s a
slide that’s not a bonfire that’s a river liquid water burning because of
river liquid water burning because of
river liquid water burning because of years of dumping and pollution poor
years of dumping and pollution poor
years of dumping and pollution poor regulation and corruption and this
regulation and corruption and this
regulation and corruption and this happened almost a dozen times over the
happened almost a dozen times over the
happened almost a dozen times over the first half of the 20th century finally
first half of the 20th century finally
first half of the 20th century finally in the 60s woke the American public up
in the 60s woke the American public up
in the 60s woke the American public up and Congress and Nixon came together to
and Congress and Nixon came together to
and Congress and Nixon came together to recognize that protecting the
recognize that protecting the
recognize that protecting the environment is in the best interest of
environment is in the best interest of
environment is in the best interest of the American people it’s the most
the American people it’s the most
the American people it’s the most important thing that we can do so how do
important thing that we can do so how do
important thing that we can do so how do we get back to that golden Nick Sounion
we get back to that golden Nick Sounion
we get back to that golden Nick Sounion era
well first we would be all a lot better
well first we would be all a lot better off if we could agree that human dignity
off if we could agree that human dignity
off if we could agree that human dignity and purpose and opportunity are the
and purpose and opportunity are the
and purpose and opportunity are the starting places to address environmental
starting places to address environmental
starting places to address environmental issues in fact the protecting the
issues in fact the protecting the
issues in fact the protecting the environment is about fundamental human
environment is about fundamental human
environment is about fundamental human dignity
dignity
dignity it’s about healthy communities and
it’s about healthy communities and
it’s about healthy communities and wholesome food for our children it’s
wholesome food for our children it’s
wholesome food for our children it’s about true energy independence and good
about true energy independence and good
about true energy independence and good sustainable jobs now if we’re gonna get
sustainable jobs now if we’re gonna get
sustainable jobs now if we’re gonna get there we got a long way to go we’ve got
there we got a long way to go we’ve got
there we got a long way to go we’ve got an administration down the street whose
an administration down the street whose
an administration down the street whose current approach to dealing with these
current approach to dealing with these
current approach to dealing with these issues to wipe a term off a website or
issues to wipe a term off a website or
issues to wipe a term off a website or appoint science deniers to position the
appoint science deniers to position the
appoint science deniers to position the power or maybe put some gag orders on
power or maybe put some gag orders on
power or maybe put some gag orders on the Park Service Big Bad Park Service in
the Park Service Big Bad Park Service in
the Park Service Big Bad Park Service in doing so they are condemning millions of
doing so they are condemning millions of
doing so they are condemning millions of people to needless suffering when
people to needless suffering when
people to needless suffering when they’re making our country more poor
they’re making our country more poor
they’re making our country more poor less free and less safe but it’s not all
less free and less safe but it’s not all
less free and less safe but it’s not all bad news
bad news
bad news two days ago I had the opportunity to
two days ago I had the opportunity to
two days ago I had the opportunity to an event about ocean health on Capitol
an event about ocean health on Capitol
an event about ocean health on Capitol Hill with congressman Carlos corbello
Hill with congressman Carlos corbello
Hill with congressman Carlos corbello a Republican from the Southern District
a Republican from the Southern District
a Republican from the Southern District of Florida down southern Miami and the
of Florida down southern Miami and the
of Florida down southern Miami and the Florida Keys a place where this happened
Florida Keys a place where this happened
Florida Keys a place where this happened about three months ago
about three months ago
about three months ago you see Miami is dealing with the
you see Miami is dealing with the
you see Miami is dealing with the consequences of climate change and sea
consequences of climate change and sea
consequences of climate change and sea level rise on an almost daily basis a
level rise on an almost daily basis a
level rise on an almost daily basis a streets are flooding and at one
streets are flooding and at one
streets are flooding and at one particular high tide this photograph was
particular high tide this photograph was
particular high tide this photograph was taken of an octopus crawling in a
taken of an octopus crawling in a
taken of an octopus crawling in a parking garage in downtown Miami
parking garage in downtown Miami
parking garage in downtown Miami representative cur Bello recognizes that
representative cur Bello recognizes that
representative cur Bello recognizes that we have to take action he is the
we have to take action he is the
we have to take action he is the co-founder of the climate solutions
co-founder of the climate solutions
co-founder of the climate solutions caucus in the house that is growing
caucus in the house that is growing
caucus in the house that is growing almost daily as part of a new generation
almost daily as part of a new generation
almost daily as part of a new generation that believes if we can reframe these
that believes if we can reframe these
that believes if we can reframe these issues around conservation in the
issues around conservation in the
issues around conservation in the environment in more Republican standard
environment in more Republican standard
environment in more Republican standard issues of economic development and
issues of economic development and
issues of economic development and opportunity that we can make real
opportunity that we can make real
opportunity that we can make real progress together in a bipartisan
progress together in a bipartisan
progress together in a bipartisan fashion so that’s some good news here’s
fashion so that’s some good news here’s
fashion so that’s some good news here’s some more good news I work with young
some more good news I work with young
some more good news I work with young people every day through my nonprofit
people every day through my nonprofit
people every day through my nonprofit earth echo international around the
earth echo international around the
earth echo international around the country and around the world and I
country and around the world and I
country and around the world and I promise you none of them question the
promise you none of them question the
promise you none of them question the value of protecting the environment
value of protecting the environment
value of protecting the environment none of them question the importance of
none of them question the importance of
none of them question the importance of clean air and clean water
clean air and clean water
clean air and clean water fighting for our oceans of combating
fighting for our oceans of combating
fighting for our oceans of combating climate change you know what they do
climate change you know what they do
climate change you know what they do question they question why our leaders
question they question why our leaders
question they question why our leaders would mortgage their futures so
would mortgage their futures so
would mortgage their futures so selfishly and they are fired up but as a
selfishly and they are fired up but as a
selfishly and they are fired up but as a movement of people who care about these
movement of people who care about these
movement of people who care about these issues we need to do a better job today
issues we need to do a better job today
issues we need to do a better job today of priming the pump of paving the way
of priming the pump of paving the way
of priming the pump of paving the way for them we have to accept some of the
for them we have to accept some of the
for them we have to accept some of the blame for the current state of affairs
blame for the current state of affairs
blame for the current state of affairs maybe instead of relying on pictures of
maybe instead of relying on pictures of
maybe instead of relying on pictures of dying coral reefs and melting ice caps
dying coral reefs and melting ice caps
dying coral reefs and melting ice caps which are all important issues we should
which are all important issues we should
which are all important issues we should focus more on conservation as an
focus more on conservation as an
focus more on conservation as an opportunity to solve problems to provide
opportunity to solve problems to provide
opportunity to solve problems to provide people human beings with the fundamental
people human beings with the fundamental
people human beings with the fundamental dignity and purpose that comes with
dignity and purpose that comes with
dignity and purpose that comes with putting a roof over your head with feet
putting a roof over your head with feet
putting a roof over your head with feet your children just like it does for the
your children just like it does for the
your children just like it does for the people in the renewable energy industry
people in the renewable energy industry
people in the renewable energy industry who now outnumber people in oil coal and
who now outnumber people in oil coal and
who now outnumber people in oil coal and natural gas combined now reframing the
natural gas combined now reframing the
natural gas combined now reframing the issue is going to take some hard
issue is going to take some hard
issue is going to take some hard thinking but one of the things that we
thinking but one of the things that we
thinking but one of the things that we need to do is maybe recognize that too
need to do is maybe recognize that too
need to do is maybe recognize that too often we rely on serious scientific
often we rely on serious scientific
often we rely on serious scientific reports and very stern documentaries
reports and very stern documentaries
reports and very stern documentaries that too often rely on alarmism and doom
that too often rely on alarmism and doom
that too often rely on alarmism and doom and gloom as Governor Martin O’Malley
and gloom as Governor Martin O’Malley
and gloom as Governor Martin O’Malley reminded me a few months ago by
reminded me a few months ago by
reminded me a few months ago by catastrophizing the issues facing the
catastrophizing the issues facing the
catastrophizing the issues facing the environment we make the deniers look
environment we make the deniers look
environment we make the deniers look optimistic and I would argue that while
optimistic and I would argue that while
optimistic and I would argue that while these issues are indeed serious
these issues are indeed serious
these issues are indeed serious sometimes well maybe sometimes they’re
sometimes well maybe sometimes they’re
sometimes well maybe sometimes they’re too serious to take too seriously
too serious to take too seriously
too serious to take too seriously that we’ve lost the sense of imagination
that we’ve lost the sense of imagination
that we’ve lost the sense of imagination and wonder an opportunity and excitement
and wonder an opportunity and excitement
and wonder an opportunity and excitement that comes with protecting our planet
that comes with protecting our planet
that comes with protecting our planet the world around us the world that
the world around us the world that
the world around us the world that sustains us and that we’ve lost the
sustains us and that we’ve lost the
sustains us and that we’ve lost the humor to now recently I had the
humor to now recently I had the
humor to now recently I had the opportunity to work on a show with great
opportunity to work on a show with great
opportunity to work on a show with great big story calm where what we did is we
big story calm where what we did is we
big story calm where what we did is we created a new series called the aquatic
created a new series called the aquatic
created a new series called the aquatic world of Philippe Cousteau that is
world of Philippe Cousteau that is
world of Philippe Cousteau that is looking at an entirely new way of
looking at an entirely new way of
looking at an entirely new way of telling these stories with a lot of
telling these stories with a lot of
telling these stories with a lot of humor and a few cocktails far below the
humor and a few cocktails far below the
humor and a few cocktails far below the ocean surface an elite team of
ocean surface an elite team of
ocean surface an elite team of oceanographers explores the briny deep
oceanographers explores the briny deep
oceanographers explores the briny deep the skilled submariners are led by this
the skilled submariners are led by this
the skilled submariners are led by this man
man
man welcome world-renowned environmentalist
welcome world-renowned environmentalist
welcome world-renowned environmentalist and educator Philippe Cousteau great big
and educator Philippe Cousteau great big
and educator Philippe Cousteau great big story presents a marine motion picture
story presents a marine motion picture
story presents a marine motion picture like no other
like no other
like no other Oh Sadat’s engaged learn the mysteries
Oh Sadat’s engaged learn the mysteries
Oh Sadat’s engaged learn the mysteries of the deep from the elite crew of
of the deep from the elite crew of
of the deep from the elite crew of mariners
mariners
mariners magnificent shot and magnificent aqua
magnificent shot and magnificent aqua
magnificent shot and magnificent aqua scope see the submarine world like never
scope see the submarine world like never
scope see the submarine world like never before in a vision so fantastic the life
before in a vision so fantastic the life
before in a vision so fantastic the life you know may never be the same me are
you know may never be the same me are
you know may never be the same me are people right you know one of the infants
people right you know one of the infants
people right you know one of the infants is taking a liking to the ship so he has
is taking a liking to the ship so he has
is taking a liking to the ship so he has the aquatic world with Philippe Cousteau
so what I want you to take away from
so what I want you to take away from that is the idea that we need new
that is the idea that we need new
that is the idea that we need new approaches we need to think outside the
approaches we need to think outside the
approaches we need to think outside the box again to look at conservation as an
box again to look at conservation as an
box again to look at conservation as an opportunity to solve problems of hope
opportunity to solve problems of hope
opportunity to solve problems of hope and dignity for human beings
and dignity for human beings
and dignity for human beings and that if we do that if we do our jobs
and that if we do that if we do our jobs
and that if we do that if we do our jobs right right here right now today we can
right right here right now today we can
right right here right now today we can chart a new course we can truly come
chart a new course we can truly come
chart a new course we can truly come together as a nation to recognize the
together as a nation to recognize the
together as a nation to recognize the opportunity in the potential that we all
opportunity in the potential that we all
opportunity in the potential that we all have to make this world a better place I
have to make this world a better place I
have to make this world a better place I like to think about a message and a
like to think about a message and a
like to think about a message and a vision that my grandfather and father
vision that my grandfather and father
vision that my grandfather and father shared with me growing up but every
shared with me growing up but every
shared with me growing up but every single child born on this planet has the
single child born on this planet has the
single child born on this planet has the right to breathe fresh air and to drink
right to breathe fresh air and to drink
right to breathe fresh air and to drink clean water to walk on green grass under
clean water to walk on green grass under
clean water to walk on green grass under a blue sky so with that in mind and as
a blue sky so with that in mind and as
a blue sky so with that in mind and as the closing speaker
”
Be First to Comment