This week on Full Frame: Saving the environment

Full Frame

We’ve all heard the dire warning: we only have one planet and it is in peril!

But what can be done today to make an impact on the environment that the next generation will inherit?

We speak with environmental activists who are taking the fight for the planet’s future from the sea floor to the world’s highest summits, and every terrain in between. That’s this week on Full Frame: saving the environment.

Philippe Cousteau, Jr.: Protecting oceans

Philippe Cousteau, Jr.

Environmentalist Philippe Cousteau, Jr. discusses the threats to our oceans.

Our oceans cover about 70% of the Earth’s surface and are among the most beautiful, mysterious and diverse ecosystems on the planet. Unfortunately, due to pollution generated mostly on land, the ocean’s health is in danger.

One of the most legendary families in deep-sea diving and exploration has devoted three generations to combating threats to the health of the world’s oceans.

Like his father and grandfather before him, Philippe Cousteau, Jr. is a gifted storyteller and, a television host, author, environmentalist, and social entrepreneur.

Continuing his family’s legacy, he co-founded EarthEcho International in 2000. He’s made it his life’s work to educate and inspire young people, around the globe, to take action in restoring and protecting the future of our oceans.

Mike Walter recently sat down with Philippe Cousteau, Jr. at the 2015 Aspen Ideas Festival to talk about the dire threats to our oceans and the far-reaching impact of his family’s life work.

Gretchen Bleiler: Protecting winters

Gretchen Bleiler

U.S. Olympian Gretchen Bleiler discusses her environmentalism and protecting winters from climate change.

Professional snowboarder Gretchen Bleiler is one of the most successful and decorated athletes in the sport. She’s won numerous awards, including a silver medal at the 2006 Winter Olympics, and four gold medals at the Winter X Games.

Having spent the last 15 years traveling the colder regions of the world, Gretchen has witnessed the impact of climate change first-hand.

She’s now committed to a number of environmental causes and to keeping snow on the world’s mountaintops.

She serves on the board of Protect Our Winters, a non-profit organization that’s engaging the snow sports community in the fight against climate change.

Mike Walter met up with her at the 2015 Aspen Ideas Festival where they discussed her environmental activism and the importance of “getting into the flow”.

May Boeve: Protecting Earth

May Boeve

Executive director and co-founder of 350.org, May Boeve, discusses how to take action on climate change before it’s too late.

One of the few female leaders in the green movement, May Boeve successfully helped launched one of the largest climate change demonstrations in history. No stranger to advocacy, she began her lifelong activism at only four years old by writing to then-President George H.W. Bush and asking that he outlaw cruelty to animals.

As the executive director and one of the co-founders of 350.org, an international climate change campaign active in nearly 200 countries, May is committed to increasing awareness about the climate change crisis and empowering people to make a difference.

She joins Mike Walter in our New York City studio to tell us how we can take action before it’s too late.

Trevor Young: Protecting urban environments

Trevor Young

The paintings of artist Trevor Young celebrate urban environments.

Urban sprawl in the modern era has been associated with a number of negative environmental and public health threats.

Air quality, deforestation, and improper distribution of resources are among some of the adverse effects of this mid-century phenomenon.
However, urban sprawl has made some positive impacts.

It’s contributed to cultural changes, creating new kinds of urban environments with unique architecture and character.

Artist Trevor Young paintings seek to illustrate these new urban environments. His work often highlights the visual tension between natural and man-made light.

The painter celebrates the beauty and intricacies of Americana outposts, while, at the same time, explaining and highlighting the footprint of modernism.

Tune into Full Frame on CCTV America at 7:00 pm ET on October 24, 2015.