Philippe Cousteau Jr.
A third-generation ocean explorer who translates his family's legacy into urgent advocacy, using media to make environmental science accessible and actionable.
Born 1980 (age 46)·American environmental conservationist·Birthday: January 20·Generation X
Biography
Philippe Cousteau Jr. was born into a name synonymous with the sea, but he has worked diligently to earn his own place in the family business of exploration and education. Rather than simply resting on the legacy of his father Philippe and grandfather Jacques, he built a multifaceted career as a storyteller and advocate. He co-founded EarthEcho International, an environmental education organization aimed at empowering youth to act for the planet. Cousteau understands the power of media, hosting television series like "Awesome Planet" and "Xploration Awesome Planet," which take viewers to the front lines of ecological wonder and crisis. His work is characterized by a pragmatic focus on solutions, bridging the gap between scientific discovery and public understanding to inspire a new wave of ocean stewardship.
Generation X
1965–1980
The latchkey kids. Raised during divorce, recession, and the end of the Cold War. Skeptical, self-reliant, media-literate. They invented indie culture, grunge, and the early internet — then watched the Boomers take credit.
Philippe was born in 1980, placing them squarely in the Generation X. The events that shaped this generation — economic uncertainty, the end of the Cold War, and the rise of personal computing — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Philippe Was Born
The biggest hits of 1980
#1 Movie
The Empire Strikes Back
Best Picture
Ordinary People
#1 TV Show
Dallas
Philippe's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1980Born
John Lennon shot and killed in New York
Gas: $1.19/galHome: $47,200Min wage: $3.10/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Call Me" — BlondieBest Picture: Ordinary People
1985Started school
Live Aid concerts raise money for Ethiopian famine
Gas: $1.12/galHome: $62,900Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Careless Whisper" — Wham!Best Picture: Out of Africa
1993Became a teenager
European Union officially established
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $86,600Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"I Will Always Love You" — Whitney HoustonBest Picture: Schindler's List
1996Could drive
Dolly the sheep cloned
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $99,700Min wage: $4.75/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Macarena" — Los del RioBest Picture: The English Patient
1998Could vote
Google founded; Clinton impeachment
Gas: $1.06/galHome: $107,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Too Close" — NextBest Picture: Shakespeare in Love
2001Turned 21
September 11 attacks transform the world
Gas: $1.46/galHome: $126,400Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Hanging by a Moment" — LifehouseBest Picture: A Beautiful Mind
2010Turned 30
Deepwater Horizon oil spill; iPad launched
Gas: $2.79/galHome: $147,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Tik Tok" — KeshaBest Picture: The King's Speech
2020Turned 40
COVID-19 pandemic shuts down the world
Gas: $2.17/galHome: $248,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Blinding Lights" — The WeekndBest Picture: Nomadland
2026Age 46 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Co-founded EarthEcho International, a nonprofit dedicated to youth environmental education and leadership.
- Received an Emmy nomination as host and executive producer of the syndicated television series 'Awesome Planet.'
- Served as a special correspondent for CNN, reporting on environmental and climate issues.
- Authored the children's book 'Follow the Moon Home' with his wife, activist and designer Ashlan Gorse.
- Led numerous expeditions documenting issues from ocean acidification to sustainable fisheries.
Did You Know?
He is a certified SCUBA diver by age four, trained by his grandfather Jacques Cousteau.
He holds dual citizenship in the United States and France.
He is a trained airplane and helicopter pilot.
He delivered a keynote address at the United Nations for World Oceans Day.
“We are the first generation to feel the impact of climate change and the last generation that can do something about it.”
