Archived from Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Fabien Cousteau, third-generation oceanographer and key member of the expedition team on Jean-Michel Cousteau: Ocean Adventures, will join us to answer your questions live on Earth Day.
Archived Chat
Happy Earth Day and welcome to the Engage Live Chat series. Today we are hosting oceanographer and adventure seeker Fabien Cousteau. Thanks for joining us Fabien. Let's get started with the first question.
Abigail, San Francisco, CA:
What can the average citizen do to bring more attention to these environmental issues now, and promote healthy solutions for our sickening planet?
Fabien Cousteau:
Good question. The first thing to do is recognize that there is a problem which you have done. Most solutions are simple. 1)We need to get rid of bad habits such as dumping cat litter down the drain or other household chemicals or prescriptions for that matter. These things end up in rivers and eventually in the ocean. The animals there ingest the toxins and are affected by them. As a result we also eat some of these fish...
2)Use social media to tell your friends and local decision makers about your concerns.
3) Eat lower down the food chain. it takes some stress off the ecosystem and it is usually healthier
2)Use social media to tell your friends and local decision makers about your concerns.
3) Eat lower down the food chain. it takes some stress off the ecosystem and it is usually healthier
nancy, la jolla, california:
What do you feel is the biggest threat facing our oceans today?
Fabien Cousteau:
We seem to have many threats these days. There are two that come to mind of utmost significance which we can all address in the short term:
We use the oceans as both an infinite resource and a garbage dump. Its obvious these things dont mesh.
We use the oceans as both an infinite resource and a garbage dump. Its obvious these things dont mesh.
Audrey Ouillette, Bay City, Michigan:
Do you have any advice for young people who wish to step up and make the change that is need to save our oceans?
Fabien Cousteau:
Young people are the key to a successful healthy future of our planet. Generations of young people grow up with knowledge of our planet's failing health and have tools like the internet and social networking to influence decision makers. You also have the energy to start local initiatives in your community that can help address the current crisis we face. The future is quite literally in your hands
robyn mello, hayward ca:
How are all the environmental changes affecting sharks?
Fabien Cousteau:
Its hard to say how changes are affecting sharks because of the variety of issues, the wide geographical location of different populations of sharks and the fact that each of the hundreds of different species react differently to certain stresses. Shark finning is probably the one universal problem affecting many populations. We must stop this useless slaughter of these animals immediately if we are to have a chance at saving them.
Judy Hoffman, San Diego, CA:
What's the most important thing you would tell a beginning diver?
Fabien Cousteau:
Don't hold your breath
I would say welcome to this wonderful mysterious full of magic! If you stick to the basics of your dive course you should be fine. Enjoy the underwater world for what it is. Share your stories with others so that they may enjoy it too.
I would say welcome to this wonderful mysterious full of magic! If you stick to the basics of your dive course you should be fine. Enjoy the underwater world for what it is. Share your stories with others so that they may enjoy it too.
Maria Douglas, Port Townsend, WA:
Have you ever been in fear for your life when you were diving?
Fabien Cousteau:
I have been diving since my 4th birthday. The underwater world feels like my natural realm. I feel much safer there than I would say, crossing a busy city street.
That said- there have been a few close call moments. Overall, its not the animals that worry me but human error which is unforgiving in that world...
That said- there have been a few close call moments. Overall, its not the animals that worry me but human error which is unforgiving in that world...
Ms. Stock's 6th grade class, Webster City, IA:
What are the "mini subs" made of so they don't collapse under water pressure?
Fabien Cousteau:
Since I am not sure what you mean by mini subs I will answer with the subs I know:
Troy- my shark submarine is a "wet sub" which means its full of water inside and you wear diving equipment. It is made of unusual materials to suit its stealth purpose. The skin is made of Skinflex, the double flexible spin is makralon and the ribs are made of stainless steel.
The Deep Rovers look like an upside down fish bowl and the bowl is made of acrylic.
Traditional subs vary but the area for passengers is usually some sort of steel or alloy.
ROVs are a combination of plexiglass, stainless steel and so on....
Troy- my shark submarine is a "wet sub" which means its full of water inside and you wear diving equipment. It is made of unusual materials to suit its stealth purpose. The skin is made of Skinflex, the double flexible spin is makralon and the ribs are made of stainless steel.
The Deep Rovers look like an upside down fish bowl and the bowl is made of acrylic.
Traditional subs vary but the area for passengers is usually some sort of steel or alloy.
ROVs are a combination of plexiglass, stainless steel and so on....
Stephanie, Honolulu, HI:
When will Troy the shark sub go for on another swim? And where will it be?
Fabien Cousteau:
When do you want to go for a swim? Its for sale. JUST KIDDING!
Troy has been a great vehicle and useful in its mission. Due to its service history Troy is better off retiring to a museum. If there were to be a new version it would be a simple matter of money and time for another adventure to get up close and personal with the magnificent sharks
Troy has been a great vehicle and useful in its mission. Due to its service history Troy is better off retiring to a museum. If there were to be a new version it would be a simple matter of money and time for another adventure to get up close and personal with the magnificent sharks
carol, thousand oaks, ca:
When did you first start to be interested in exploring the oceans?
Fabien Cousteau:
As far back as I remember I have been fascinated with the natural world. Its most likely due to the fact that I grew up exposed to it from a very young age. There is never any lack of new fascinating things to discover and it doesn't need batteries to watch
Grant Jessé, UK:
How can we convince every person that we all depend upon keeping this world of water clean and in naturally balanced health?
Fabien Cousteau:
Watch the show "Call of the Killer Whale" tonight on PBS. There is a lot of information in those two hours on why we should care about our water planet beyond saving the cute and cuddly creatures we love.
A healthy planet is a healthy people
A healthy planet is a healthy people
Jennifer, San Antonio, TX:
What do you feel is the single most important big idea teachers (and parents) should be teaching their kids about the environment today?
Fabien Cousteau:
We can't live without a healthy environment . We are all connected. If we treat the oceans (and the planet) carelessly we will be subject to the results. We are already seeing this. Belugas are getting breast cancer due to toxins we dump into the environment. Orcas are spontaneously aborting their calves due to toxin loading in their systems and so on. This is our one life support system. There is nowhere else to go if we trash our own back yard...
Elliot, Bethesda, MD:
I read that your next animal of interest is the mantis shrimp. Do mantis shrimp have any natural predators?
Fabien Cousteau:
Mantis shrimp are one of the most fascinating creatures in the ocean. They can be found in tropical, subtropical and bordering temperate waters. They have incredible (and unusual) visual acuity. Some look like rainbows while others glow in the dark. Mantis shrimp vary in size but are usually somewhere around 12-15 inches as an adult.
Their "punch" is the fastest in the world and can shatter 1" thick glass: hence why you dont see many in aquariums...
The octopus, my favorite invertebrate, is the arch enemy of the mantis shrimp. Its always a toss up as to why wins one of those encounters...
Their "punch" is the fastest in the world and can shatter 1" thick glass: hence why you dont see many in aquariums...
The octopus, my favorite invertebrate, is the arch enemy of the mantis shrimp. Its always a toss up as to why wins one of those encounters...
Deidre Rosenboom, Arnolds Park, Iowa:
Any examples in rebuilding ocean health from destruction done by humans? If so where and what was the destruction and how was it rebuilt?
Fabien Cousteau:
I always look forward to some positive news about places that are recuperating after man's heavy handed treading. I would say a prime example would be the Poor Knights in New Zealand is a great example of what can be done if you give nature a chance to fix itself. It is the oldest (context 30years or so) marine sanctuary in the world and exhibits a beauty of flora and fauna that is rarified today. We need to protect more places in the sea. Experts estimate that we need between 5-10% of our oceans protected in order to have the chance at sustaining our ocean system. There are efforts being made in some local areas of the world that are showing signs of rehabilitation but we have a long road ahead. We need everyone to be advocates of this effort.
angie, st paul, minn:
What inspires you to dive? Is it physical, spiritual, or something else entirely?
Fabien Cousteau:
This is a question that I am not sure even my grandfather could answer fully.
For me, diving into the foreign liquid realm is like visiting a new universe. Its beauty takes away time and gravity while you fly effortlessly in any direction in a dream world. It addresses the physical of course, but it also caters greatly to the mind. It feels natural, like a long lost home you've suddenly rediscovered. For an exploring spirit it is Nirvana.
For me, diving into the foreign liquid realm is like visiting a new universe. Its beauty takes away time and gravity while you fly effortlessly in any direction in a dream world. It addresses the physical of course, but it also caters greatly to the mind. It feels natural, like a long lost home you've suddenly rediscovered. For an exploring spirit it is Nirvana.
Thank you for joining us today, Fabien. Thank you viewers for your participation. The new Ocean Adventures episode "Call of the Killer Whale" airs tonight on PBS. You can watch the episode in the PBS Video portal tomorrow. You can also continue this conversation in the archived chat section. Just refresh your page.
Starred (*) questions have been edited by PBS editors for brevity and/or clarity. The original, unedited question can be found to the right under Audience Questions.
Oprah Winfrey Show
Dear Fabien,
I watched the Oprah Winfrey Show on telly and just want to say you are doing a great job!!
If only people could have the same passion for the environment as you do, the world will be a much happier place to live in.
Regards,
Sonja
Ocean health
It is truly depressing how bad the health of the ocean has become. When you have to go to a website to check out if it is safe to surf in the water every day, you have reached a point where you can't ignore it. My buddies get strange lesions on their skin after surfing all the time. They say the diversity in our local marine life is going down. A buddy studies drifting larvae and says the numbers are way down. Sad days.
I always look forward to some
I always look forward to some positive news about places that are recuperating after man's heavy handed treading. I would say a prime example would be the Poor Knights in New Zealand is a great example of what can be done if you give nature a chance to fix itself. It is the oldest (context 30years or so) marine sanctuary in the world and exhibits a beauty of flora and fauna that is rarified today. We need to protect more places in the sea. Experts estimate that we need between 5-10% of our oceans protected in order to have the chance at sustaining our ocean system.
There are efforts being made in some local areas of the world that are showing signs of rehabilitation but we have a long road ahead. We need everyone to be advocates of this effort.
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