Sylvia Earle: Hero for the Planet

"People ask: Why should I care about the ocean? Because the ocean is the cornerstone of earth's life support system, it shapes climate and weather.  It holds most of life on earth.  97% of earth's water is there.  It's the blue heart of the planet - we should take care of our heart.  It's what makes life possible for us.  We still have a really good chance to make things better than they are.  They won't get better unless we take the action and inspire others to do the same thing.  No one is without power.  Everybody has the capacity to do something"    

                                                 - Sylvia Earle

Dr. Sylvia Earle exploring the Holmes and Osprey Reefs off the coast of Australia.

Sylvia Earle is realistic; optimistic but realistic.  She knows, almost better than anyone, how bad of a state the oceans are in, however, she believes there is hope.  And how can anyone argue with Dr. Sylvia Earle.

If you're not familiar with her, let me introduce you.  She is the most well-known female marine scientist in the world.  Her love for the ocean started at a young age and she still continues to be an advocate for the ocean today.  She is, according to Wikipedia "an oceanographer, explorer, author, lecturer, Explorer-in-Residence at the National Geographic Society, leader of the Sustainable Seas Expeditions, council chair for the Harte Research Institute for the Gulf of Mexico Studies at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, founder and chairman of the Deep Search Foundation, and finally the chair of the Advisory Council for the Ocean in Google Earth."  Whatta woman!

In 1969, Dr. Earle applied to participate in Tektite project.  This project allowed scientists and researchers to remain underwater for weeks at a time, living in a submersible habitat.

Provided by Wikipedia

However, she did not get accepted into the program, even though she had logged more than 1000 underwater research hours (more than any of the other applicants).  She is quoted as saying it was because "the people in charge just couldn't cope with the idea of men and women living together underwater."  I know, we all [should] scoff at that notion nowadays.  She didn't give up there though, because eventually, in 1970, she led an expedition of all female researchers/scientists!

Because of that expedition, she gained a huge amount of public attention and she used it to her (or the ocean's) advantage.  She wanted to share her research, love and knowledge of the oceans and educate the public about the dangers they are facing from pollution and environmental degradation.  Earle has written several books and created numerous films, raising public awareness.

The most awesome accomplishment, I think, was her "stroll" on the sea floor about 1,250 ft down!  She was the first human being (and still, the only) to do so at that depth.  She was wearing this:

A "Jim-Suit"

She was only connected by a single communication line to the main submarine for an entire two and a half hours.  I can't even imagine!  The things she must have seen and experienced! Amazing.

As she ages (now 77), she is not slowing down.  She is currently an Explorer-In-Residence with the National Geographic Society and led the Google Ocean Advisory Council to provide information and data for the Ocean's in Google Earth.  Over her years in her career, she has led at least 70 expeditions, won more than 100 awards and honors and has logged about 6,500 hours underwater!  6,500 hours underwater!  That's like 9 months of being underwater.  Incredible.

One of her most recent projects is called Mission Blue. "Mission-Blue.org is an ocean community hub that seeks to make good on Sylvia’s wish by elevating public awareness about critical ocean issues and inspiring support for organizations, projects and scientific expeditions that make a positive difference for the ocean. Decades of overfishing, pollution, climate change, acidification and other human pressures threaten the fundamental nature of the ocean — and therefore threaten the future of humankind."  She wants to (and is) create "Hope Spots."  These are areas in the ocean dedicated to being protected.  A marine reserve or sanctuary.  Dr. Earle wants everyone “to use all means at your disposal — films, expeditions, the web, new submarines — to create a campaign to ignite public support for a global network of marine protected areas; Hope Spots large enough to save and restore the blue heart of the planet.”

This is my means.  For now, this is what I am doing to spread awareness until I can gain ground to do more.  I will do more.  But for now - my blog.  Read. React. Learn. Share.