Sylvia Earle

Sylvia Earle 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. She is also part of the group Ocean Elders, which is dedicated to protecting the ocean and its wildlife.