When you think about the environment you typically think about animals and trees, but it is about so much more. The environment is about all living systems, including human, animal and plant life. Ultimately, fresh air and clean water are vital to all life on earth. The environment impacts our economy, our health and our security, so making sure we stay aware of what we do to affect it is highly important. Organizations like EarthEcho International, a non-profit entity based in Washington DC, have made it their goal to help us do just that.Founded in March 2000, EarthEcho's mission is to empower individuals to take action to sustain and enhance our water planet. The three co-founders of the organization are Jan, Philippe and Alexandra Cousteau, and it was created in memory of Philippe Cousteau Sr., Jan's husband and Philippe and Alexandra's father. If the name Cousteau sounds familiar it is because they are relatives of the legendary marine environmentalist, Jacques-Yves Cousteau. Philippe Sr. often worked with his father to identify numerous threats to the environment around the world, and he passed that love for the earth on to his children and his wife. EarthEcho works to create awareness of the environment by encouraging people to change their behavior in small ways, like recycling, buying eco-friendly products, voting for representatives who will create laws that will positively impact our environment, and becoming more involved in their communities.The organization reaches out to people in a variety of ways. This year it has partnered with the VANS Warped Tour, a popular touring festival, to deliver its message to fans, bands, road crew and sponsors. EarthEcho held an Eco Contest that allowed concert attendees to enter to win every time they brought 10 recyclable items to EarthEcho's tent. The winner had the chance to go on a mini expedition of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary in October. Philippe Cousteau, the President and CEO of EarthEcho, is the Chief Ocean Correspondent for the Animal Planet, and in January 2007 the television channel aired his documentary about the ocean's deadliest animals, which he was filming with Steve Irwin during the time of his death. Philippe also does on-air expeditions for National Public Radio's show, Living on Earth. The organization has pioneered a Community Action Campaign in Washington DC, Maryland and Virginia that raises environmental awareness through marketing and education. If that isn't enough, it is also involved in student environmental film festivals, provides classroom materials and live webcasts for students and offers an annual fellowship to those dedicated to communicating environmental messages in unique and creative ways.For all of EarthEcho's hard work and ingenuity in bringing the environment to the forefront, Philippe and Alexandra were recently featured as guest editors in the November 2007 issue of the magazine, Women's Health, the first magazine to ever feature a Blue Issue.' It also has inspired several other organizations to collaborate with them, including the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History and the National Council for Science and the Environment (NCSE). With the recent increase of organizations like EarthEcho and their collaborators popping up, it is plain to see that keeping our environment stable and healthy should be a priority rather than just a hobby. After all, three generations of Cousteaus can't be wrong.For more information about EarthEcho, go to www.earthecho.org. For more information about "Women's Health" magazine, go to www.womenshealthmag.com.

SHARE: