Sylvia Earle
Sylvia Earle
Sylvia Earle is a renowned marine biologist and explorer-in-residence at the National Geographic Society. She has pioneered research on marine ecosystems, led more than 70 expeditions, and holds numerous diving records, including the depth record for solo diving at 3,300 feet. Earle was the first female chief scientist of the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and has played a key role in establishing marine protected areas globally. She also is the author of more than 175 publications, including Ocean: An Illustrated Atlas (2008), and her newest book, The World is Blue: How Our Fate and the Ocean’s Are One. Named by Time magazine as the first “hero for the planet” in 1998, Earle has received more than 100 national and international awards and honors including the coveted 2009 TED Prize.