44 HEADLINE WATER HEROES Decades before EarthEcho International existed, Philippe Cousteau Sr., award-winning filmmaker and son of legendary explorer Jacques-Yves Cousteau, believed in a world where “every single child can breathe fresh air, drink clean water, and walk on green grass under a blue sky.” This belief, along with others, about the importance of protection our planet for future generations became the guiding principles for his children Philippe Jr. and Alexandra. Tragically, in June of 1979, Philippe Sr. died in a seaplane accident in Lisbon, Portugal, leaving Philippe Sr.’s widow to keep the Cousteau legacy alive for their children. Jan Cousteau spent 13 years on expedition with her husband, providing her with insight and experiences to instill in their children – the same beliefs and passion that she and her husband shared for the planet. Growing up fantasizing about traveling on expeditions as their parents did spurred the siblings to establish EarthEcho International in their father’s memory. At its core, EarthEcho International is a nonprofit organization founded on the belief that youth have the power to change our planet. For more than a decade, the EarthEcho team, now led by 37-year old Philippe Jr., have worked with thousands of young people, educators, and youth leaders to support change through action. Today, all of the EarthEcho’s programs are designed to equip new generations of leaders and problem solvers to identify and tackle environmental challenges in their own communities and beyond: The EarthEcho Water Challenge is an international program that equips anyone to combat the global water crisis by starting in their own communities. Through the simple acts of testing their local water, sharing the results, and taking action to restore and protect their resource, anyone can play a critical role in ensuring the overall health of the environment.