A Millennium Achievement

Commander Jacques Yves Cousteau Awarded First Bios Prize

Paris, 21 October 1996, Musee de la Marine

"My dear friends. We are all here for the same effort. I had prepared a speech for tonight, naturally about water and about marine resources. But with the emotion I have felt tonight, after this wonderful ceremony, I cannot give you a prepared speech. I have only two things I want to say to you. First of all, all these years while I travelled around the world, I studied the cultures of different people and the impact water has on people and also on animals. During all these years, a revelation suddenly came to me. All animals and all plants react on the basis of motivation that comes from motion. So during my studies and observations the beating of the heart became an obsession to me. The heartbeat of humans, dolphins and whales, even cold blooded animals. Where does this heartbeat come from? It stops when bios does not exist anymore. The pulsation from the medusa was probably the beginning of its movement. This pulsation penetrates, in the same manner, all kinds of life. I say to myself "How can we attach so much to this pulsation if it is only for motion?" This pulsation is a propulsion that will move us further from where we are today." Jacques-Yves Cousteau

First Bios Prize

To actively promote incentives for environmental protection, the Biopolitics International Organisation (B.I.O.) has launched the Bios Prize awards to be given on the occasion of the Olympic Games to those who have contributed to the re-evaluation of priorities in society and the development of new models and thinking for the future. The first Bios Prize recipient is Commander Jacques-Yves Cousteau, in recognition of his invaluable contribution to the increased understanding and appreciation of the bio-environment.

Commander Cousteau was the first to explore the limitless biodiversity of the planet's oceans and raise awareness of the most important task of protecting and preserving this biodiversity. He has worked tirelessly to further the idea of protecting life on our planet and, through groundbreaking research, has continuously offered unique information on the intricacies and beauty of bios. As the century is drawing to a close, his achievements represent one of the most positive contributions to humanity.

The ceremony constituted a major cultural event and was attended by eminent personalities from all over the world,  including government officials, academicians, university rectors and professors, ambassadors, representatives from UNESCO and other international organisations, business leaders and many people of influence.

More Information BioNews 8

Message from Jacques Cousteau to B.I.O.

"I have not yet been able to regain all my senses as last night's wonderful event was so filled with emotion. Looking in the eyes of all the distinguished personalities around me, I couldn't help but ask myself whether I was worthy of this honour. At a time when the accident in Singapore and the damage to my beloved ship, the Calypso, had brought great grief to The Cousteau Society, this sincere expression of warmth, coming from people from all over the world, was a source of encouragement.

It seems to me that it is our duty to work together. We want peace in a world where all forms of life will be protected. We want to strive to prepare a better future for the generations that will come after us. We want to improve university education. Therefore, we should unite forces and our powers to influence others."

Jacques-Yves Cousteau