Sylvia Earle

Sylvia A. Earle is Explorer in Residence at the National Geographic Society, Founder of Mission Blue/Sylvia Earle Alliance, Founder of Deep Ocean Exploration and Research (DOER), a Founding Ocean Elder, Chair of the Advisory Council for the Harte Research Institute, Advisor to NTU Earth Observatory of Singapore, and former Chief Scientist of the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

Author of more than 175 publications, including "The World Is Blue: How Our Fate and the Ocean’s Are One" and the 2008 National Geographic book "Ocean: An Illustrated Atlas", Earle has led over 150 expeditions with more than 6,000 hours underwater. She holds MA and PhD degrees from Duke University, following her graduation from Florida State University, and has received 33 honorary doctorates.

Earle’s research focuses on the ecology and conservation of marine ecosystems and the development of technology for access to the deep sea. She has played a critical role in advising U.S. and international leaders on marine protection legislation and has been at the forefront of addressing marine catastrophes, including the Deep Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Her accolades include Time Magazine’s first Hero for the Planet, a Living Legend by the Library of Congress, the Netherlands Order of the Golden Ark, the Princess of Asturias Prize for Concord, the TED Prize, the Explorers Club Medal, Royal Geographic Society Patrons Medal, and the National Geographic Hubbard Medal. Earle emphasizes that the decline in the health of our ocean is preventable, not inevitable, urging actions to restore marine health.