International Desalination Association (IDA) announces Philippe Cousteau as keynote speaker for gala dinner at the 2011 IDA World Congress at Perth
The International Desalination Association (IDA) announced that Philippe Cousteau will be the keynote speaker at the Gala Dinner for the 2011 IDA World Congress on Desalination and Water Reuse, which takes place September 4-9 at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre in Western Australia.
Philippe Costeau
Philippe is the 31-year-old son of Jan and Philippe Cousteau Sr., and the grandson of Captain Jacques-Yves Cousteau. As a member of the legendary family, Philippe is continuing the work of his father through EarthEcho International (www.earthecho.org), the non-profit organisation he founded with his sister and mother and of which he serves as CEO.
Philippe, who has been featured in many television, online, radio and speaking programmes, was recently profiled by Bob Woodruff in an ABC News/Planet Green documentary entitled Focus Earth: Six People Saving Our Planet. He serves as Chief Ocean Correspondent for Discovery’s Animal Planet, where he works on various ocean and environmentally-focused content. He recently signed on as a special correspondent for CNN International hosting a series of environmentally-themed specials throughout the year. Philippe also hosted Oceans Blue, a High Definition Discovery networks/BBC series that premiered in the US on Planet Green in August 2010.
A frequent contributor to CNN.com, the Huffington Post and TreeHugger.com, he has written articles for many publications including National Geographic Magazine and Sport Diver Magazine, and has lectured at such institutions as The United Nations, Harvard University and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. He and his sister Alexandra were named to Vanity Fair magazine’s 2010 Next Establishment list in recognition of their contributions as environmental advocates.
Philippe is also the Chief Spokesperson for Environmental Education for Discovery Education, and recently co-authored Going Blue, A Teen Guide to Saving Our Oceans, Lakes, Rivers, & Wetlands, which was released in the summer of 2010 and has been awarded the Nautilus Gold Award, Learning Magazine’s 2011 Teachers’ Choice Award for the Family, and several other accolades.
He serves on the Board of Directors of The Ocean Conservancy, Marine Conservation Biology Institute and the National Environmental Education Foundation, as well as the National Council of the World Wildlife Fund.
His travels have taken him diving, rock climbing, trekking, and snowboarding around the world. From expeditions in the highlands of Papua New Guinea to war-torn Sarajevo, where he provided humanitarian aid, he has learned that exploring the connections between humans and the environment are as important as exploring nature itself. He holds a Master’s degree in history from the University of St. Andrews.
“IDA is delighted to welcome Philippe Cousteau to our 2011 World Congress as keynote speaker at the Gala Dinner and Awards Presentation. His presence underscores our commitment to environmental stewardship in desalination and perfectly reflects the World Congress theme of Sustainable Solutions for a Thirsty Planet,” said Patricia A Burke, Secretary General of the International Desalination Association. For the latest information, please visit www.idadesal.org.
