Michael W. Young
2017 Nobel Laureate in Physiology or Medicine | Richard & Jeanne Fisher Professor, Rockefeller University | Circadian Rhythms & Sleep Science
Sylvia Earle
World-Renowned Oceanographer | National Geographic Explorer at Large | Founder, Mission Blue | Knight of the French Legion of Honor
For more than six decades, Sylvia Earle has revealed the deep ocean's secrets to the world. A record-setting diver with over 8,000 hours underwater, she founded Mission Blue, served as the first female Chief Scientist at NOAA, and is a National Geographic Explorer at Large. Her advocacy has reshaped how the world understands and protects marine ecosystems. Organizations seeking an iconic sustainability voice turn to Earle for unforgettable talks.
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Sylvia Earle biography
No living scientist has done more to reveal the ocean’s importance to humanity than speaker Sylvia Earle. As a sustainability speaker, Earle brings more than six decades of deep-sea exploration and fearless advocacy to every stage she commands.
A National Geographic Explorer at Large, Earle has led over 100 research expeditions and logged more than 8,000 hours underwater. In 1979 she walked untethered on the ocean floor at a record depth of 381 meters off the coast of Oahu, a feat that earned her the nickname “Her Deepness” and cemented her standing as a foremost voice in ocean science. She served as Chief Scientist of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the first woman to hold the role, and founded Deep Ocean Exploration and Research (DOER Marine), which designs submersibles and robotic systems for deep-sea access.
Protecting the Ocean Through Mission Blue
Through Mission Blue, the alliance she founded after her TED Prize-winning talk, Earle has built a global network of marine protected areas known as Hope Spots. The initiative has designated more than 160 Hope Spots across every ocean and now unites over 200 conservation groups and organizations, catalyzing action by governments and communities alike. Her advocacy helped build momentum for the UN High Seas Treaty, the landmark agreement to protect biodiversity in international waters.
Earle’s honors include Time magazine’s Hero for the Planet designation, the TED Prize, the Hubbard Medal from the National Geographic Society, and the United Nations Champion of the Earth award. In 2025 she was named a Knight of the French Legion of Honor for her lifetime contributions to ocean science. She has authored more than 200 publications and holds over 100 honors worldwide, and she continues to carry the case for the ocean to global platforms, from the World Economic Forum to the United Nations.
As a speaker, Sylvia Earle transforms how audiences understand why the ocean matters to every person on the planet. She pairs breathtaking firsthand accounts of deep-sea discovery with urgent, practical calls to action, leaving audiences inspired and equipped to champion ocean conservation.
Sylvia Earle Speaking Videos
Sylvia Earle - Taking care of the ocean
Sylvia Earle - What if we Protected our Oceans and Saved the World?
Sylvia Earle Keynote Topics
The ocean produces more than half the oxygen we breathe, regulates the climate, and sustains billions of livelihoods, yet most of it remains unexplored. Drawing on unrivaled firsthand experience, Sylvia Earle reveals the ocean's central role in supporting life on Earth, lays out the latest science on marine ecosystems, and charts a hopeful path forward. Audiences leave with a transformed sense of what is at stake and what their organization can do about it.
Earle shares the story behind Mission Blue's Hope Spots, the network of protected marine areas now spanning every ocean. She shows how governments, communities, and businesses can collaborate to safeguard vital habitats, drawing on case studies from around the world. The keynote offers a compelling model for turning environmental vision into measurable action, ideal for audiences seeking a practical framework for sustainability leadership.
What does it take to lead when the stakes are existential and the terrain is uncharted? Earle shares hard-won lessons from decades of pioneering exploration, from walking the ocean floor at record depths to navigating institutional resistance as the first female Chief Scientist at NOAA. Her stories illuminate curiosity, resilience, and the courage to challenge convention, resonating with any audience that must lead boldly through uncertainty.
Speaker topics
FAQs on Booking Sylvia Earle
Why Sylvia Earle?
Sylvia Earle is one of the most accomplished and inspiring scientists alive. With more than 8,000 hours underwater, a record-setting solo dive to 381 meters, and the founding of Mission Blue's global Hope Spots network, she brings unmatched authority to every keynote. Her gift for turning complex ocean science into vivid, emotionally resonant storytelling makes her a transformative presence on any stage, leaving audiences not only informed but moved to act. Book Sylvia Earle through Aurum Speakers Bureau for your next event and give your audience an experience they will never forget.
What are Mission Blue's Hope Spots and why do they matter?
Hope Spots are special areas of the ocean recognized by Mission Blue as critical to the health of the global marine ecosystem. Founded by Sylvia Earle, the initiative has championed more than 160 Hope Spots across every ocean and now unites over 200 conservation organizations. These areas draw heightened attention and advocacy for formal protection, serving as rallying points for governments, scientists, and communities working to safeguard marine biodiversity, and have become a cornerstone of the modern ocean conservation movement.
What topics does Sylvia Earle cover in her keynotes?
Sylvia Earle's keynotes span ocean conservation, sustainability leadership, and the meeting point of science and global policy. She speaks on the critical state of marine ecosystems, the story behind Mission Blue's Hope Spots, and the leadership lessons drawn from six decades of exploration. Her talks are tailored to corporate, governmental, and academic audiences alike. Contact Aurum Speakers Bureau to bring Sylvia Earle to your stage and find the keynote format best suited to your event.
How has Sylvia Earle contributed to ocean conservation?
Sylvia Earle's contributions rank among the most significant of any living scientist. She served as the first female Chief Scientist at NOAA, founded Mission Blue to establish protected Hope Spots worldwide, and created DOER Marine to advance deep-sea exploration technology. Her advocacy helped build support for the UN High Seas Treaty. Her honors include the TED Prize, the Hubbard Medal, Time magazine's Hero for the Planet designation, the UN Champion of the Earth award, and the French Legion of Honor.
How to book Sylvia Earle as a keynote speaker?
Aurum Speakers Bureau can help you book Sylvia Earle as a speaker for your next event, conference, or board meeting. Simply fill out our contact form to inquire about Sylvia Earle's availability for a speaking engagement. One of our booking agents will respond to your request immediately and contact the speaker to let them know you want to hire them. We will assist you with obtaining speaking fees, booking information, and confirming availability for Sylvia Earle or any other top keynote speaker or celebrity of your choice.
How much is Sylvia Earle speaking fee?
Sylvia Earle speaking fees are determined by several factors, including the event's date, whether it's a virtual or in-person event, the duration, format, preparation required for their speech, and more. The same applies to the cost to hire any other top expert speakers and celebrities. The Speaker Fee Range listed on our website is simply a guideline and is subject to change without notice. If you would like to hire Sylvia Earle to deliver a keynote speech for your event, please fill out the contact form or email us at info@aurumbureau.com with as much detail as possible. One of our experienced agents will get in touch with you and let you know exactly how much it will cost to book Sylvia Earle.
How can I contact Sylvia Earle?
We only work with Sylvia Earle on paid speaking engagements. Aurum Speakers Bureau can assist you in booking Sylvia Earle and will handle all negotiations, contracts, and logistics associated with having Sylvia Earle speak at your event. We will be your sole point of contact throughout the process. Get in touch with Aurum Speakers Bureau today, and we will reach out to any motivational speaker or celebrity you want to enquire about speaking at your event. If you wish to contact Sylvia Earle for any other reason, we will be unable to assist you as we are not authorized to provide personal contact information.
Can I book Sylvia Earle for a virtual keynote?
Yes, Sylvia Earle is available for virtual keynotes and webinars. To book Sylvia Earle for a virtual event, please complete the contact form or send us an email to inquire about the special fees for virtual engagements.
