Sylvia Earle

Sylvia Alice Earle‏‎ (born August 30, 1935) is an American marine biologist, explorer, author, and lecturer. She has been a National Geographic explorer-in-residence since 1998. Earle was the first female chief scientist of the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and was named by Time Magazine as its first Hero for the Planet in 1998.

Early life and education

Earle was born in 1935 in Gibbstown, New Jersey. Her parents raised her with a deep appreciation for the natural world. She first learned to swim at the age of three, and from a young age, she expressed a deep fascination with the ocean and its inhabitants. She received her B.S. degree from Florida State University and her M.S. and Ph.D. from Duke University.

Career

Earle has led more than 100 expeditions worldwide involving in-situ underwater research and exploration. She was among the first to use modern self-contained underwater breathing apparatus (SCUBA) gear and among the team to design and build the first underwater vehicles that allowed scientists to live on the ocean floor. She also founded Deep Ocean Exploration and Research (DOER Marine) to further advance marine engineering. The company has designed, built, and operated equipment for scientific, commercial, and environmental applications since its inception.

Achievements and honors

Earle has received numerous awards and honors for her work. She was awarded the 2009 TED Prize, given annually to an exceptional individual who receives $100,000 and the TED community's resources and expertise to spark global change. In 2014, she was named a Living Legend by the Library of Congress. She has also been awarded the National Women's Hall of Fame, the Royal Geographical Society's Patron's Medal, and the NOAA David Rittenhouse Award.

Legacy

Earle's work has fundamentally changed the way we understand and approach the conservation of the world's oceans. Her efforts have led to the establishment of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and "Hope Spots," areas of the ocean that are critical to the health of the planet.

See also

• Oceanography
• Conservation biology
• Women in science