The world’s oceans are facing a series of escalating crises—from the death of coral reefs to overfishing that threatens marine ecosystems. But sitting at the TIME100 Talks in Rio de Janeiro on Nov. 4, legendary explorer and oceanographer Sylvia Earle wanted to take a minute to look backward at a threat to oceans from the previous century: whaling.
From the time the practice became a significant industry in the 18th century to its official ban in 1986, whale hunters were heralded with songs and literature celebrating their exploits. And the global population of whales declined precipitously to the point of near extinction.
Then, as Earle recalls, a cultural shift happened as campaigners highlighted the plight of the whales: humans across the globe began to find whale hunting distasteful. “When I was a kid, whalers were celebrated,” she said. “Today, the whales are being celebrated.”
It’s an important reflection as countries from around the world gather in Brazil for this year’s United Nations COP30 climate conference and surrounding events. Much of the conversation happening in cities across Belém will focus on how to activate governments, businesses, and investors. But Earle, the 90-year-old oceanographer and explorer, says that cultural change is important, too. “It should be cool to care,” she said.
Earle’s approach to leading with empathy is in large part what has made her a household name—and, perhaps, a missing part of the picture at this critical juncture for efforts to tackle climate change and protect natural ecosystems.
“We can make the change individually by the choices we make,” she says. “We do need some changes in government rules and regulations, but that just reinforces what people do.”
Read more: Environmentalist Sylvia Earle Says There Is ‘No Excuse in the 21st Century’ to Deny Climate Change
There’s no question that this is a challenging moment—for both ocean protection and climate change efforts. Global temperatures continue to rise alongside the concentration of carbon in the atmosphere. Oceans are helping slow temperature rise—absorbing much of the carbon humans emit—but scientists warn that they may be at their limit. At the same time, marine ecosystems are suffering. Ocean temperatures are rising quickly, threatening coral reefs and other sea life. Overfishing and rampant human pollution that finds its way to the ocean both exacerbate the challenge. “We are on a fast track to create a planet that no longer works in our favor,” she said.
Earle advocated for the High Seas Treaty, a legal framework for protecting biodiversity in international waters, and continues to call for global efforts to protect oceans. But much of her focus these days centers on engaging a wider swathe of society. Mission Blue, her non-profit dedicated to ocean protection, has identified key “hot spots” for conservation and is working to equip people on the ground with the tools to preserve their local marine ecosystem. “All of us, every one of us, all of life on Earth, depends on the existence of a living ocean,” she said.
Earle has not been alone in these efforts to use empathy and connection to advance nature protection. Primatologist Jane Goodall, who died in October at the age of 91, used her documentaries and celebrity to show the connection between primates and humans—helping people around the world connect with the natural world. In Rio, Earle recalled the reasons why Goodall called herself an optimist—including the human spirit and the power of youth—and called for people to channel that energy.
“Knowing is the key to caring,” Earle said. “And never has there been a greater time of opportunity to take what is known and turn it into action.”
TIME100 Talks: Reimagining the Future of Our Oceans with Sylvia Earle was presented by official timepiece Rolex.
