Jean-Michel Cousteau enlightened the crowded Meyerhoff Symphony hall in Baltimore Maryland on tuesday night with his passion and conviction. He seemed to echoed the voice of the oceans themselves as he highlighted the connections between all life on earth. Cousteau revealed a poignant truth to the audience, humans are interested in protecting one species... humans. During his lecture he continually proved that to protect ourselves we must protect the oceans. 
Jean-Michel's words were new but yet embodied a familiar call. With todays disconnection from nature, which has steadily developed since the industrial revolution, people have continued to remove themselves from a historic reality. The web of life, as Cousteau explains, connects all living things on earth. And as it deteriorates the less stable life becomes. Cousteau mentioned three main factors which could lead to catastrophic consequences for the world if not recognized. The first, dumping. For over a century the oceans have been used as a dumping ground for industrial waste, raw sewage, toxic chemicals, and plastics. The second, the destruction of coastlines. We continue to deforest and destroy valuable ecosystems for roads, luxury resorts, and condos. The third, over fishing. The depletion of fish stocks around the world by commercial overfishing could lead to extinction of multitudes of species. As he points out, three quarters of all species on earth live in the oceans. The problem is not just in the oceans but on land as well. Rivers are the roots of the oceans and every portion of land is connected to these roots. Looking at the collection of trash in the pacific ocean provides the proof. Cousteau points out that on a particular Island in the North Pacific, trash was collected from 52 different countries around the world. We are all connected.
Another disconcerting fact Cousteau talked about was the accumulation of disposed toxins in ecological food chains. The major risk for these toxins is the sterilization of species affected which includes humans. Cousteau showed an emotional video of a college realizing the levels of toxins in her own child. Many of the toxins such as PBDE and PCB, are used as fire retardants. Household products, carpets, paints, and even toys are saturated with the chemicals. Ray Banghart pointed out the reason for using these chemiacls is largely related to the avoidance of liability in law suits.
Cousteau's message was not a guilt ridden prosecution on the human race but merely a candid look at the facts surrounding the state of our oceans. He was very encouraging to the audience to get out and do something positive for the world and had some great advice for those who are motivated. Cousteau explained that to make a real difference we must reach out for the hearts of today's decision makers and we must educate the minds of the future leaders. "Before we didn't know" Cousteau said, " But now we do, so there is no excuse. Forget politics, we are talking about life here!"
