Building from my father’s vision of “a world where every single child can breathe fresh air, drink clean water, and walk on green grass under a blue sky,” I have always believed our future must be created not only FOR but BY our children. Young people are the true agents of positive change related to our environmental challenges anywhere in the world, which is why I am thrilled to announce that Ashlan and I are expecting a new addition to our family!

Watching Ashlan become such an amazing mother to Vivienne (aka Babyfish) these last two years has been the greatest joy of my life. I am beyond excited and humbled to have another wee fish joining our family. My father always said adventure is where you lead a full life and the adventure of being a father, something I never had growing up, for me is the greatest of all. 

Beyond our personal joy, we are excited to see how the Cousteau legacy will continue to evolve and be carried forward by our second little Babyfish. Just like the amazing youth that I have worked with for years as part of EarthEcho, I know that this new little person is a promise to make the world a better place for all of us!

As we gear up for Earth Day, let’s take a moment to celebrate this current generation of youth, from newborns to teens to those elders of Gen Z in their 20’s; they are not only our future, but our present. They are making meaningful change right now - sometimes alongside us and sometimes in spite of us. We, at EarthEcho, see it in the innovative ideas submitted to the OurEcho Challenge, we see it in the amazing applicants to the Youth Leadership Council and Water Challenge Ambassadors, and we see it every time they show up for petitions, protests, legislative events, and even TikTok takedowns. Here’s to youth—today’s movers, shakers and change-makers; it is an honor to bring two little Babyfish into your world.