It’s this spirit that makes Earle not only a pioneer but a force in marine conservation. She describes the ocean as a world full of creatures that have no counterpart on land, a living museum that tells the story of life on Earth. Her anecdotes remind me why I founded Ocean Purpose Project on a little strip of Pasir Ris Beach in Singapore—to defend this blue planet, not in the abstract, but in the immediate, tactile work that brings change.

When Earle and I meet, it is just days after the US Presidential Election results have been announced and when conversation turns to climate policy Earle’s calm, unwavering voice carries the weight of both science and urgency. 

"Science should never be a matter of politics," she says, her tone almost exasperated. In light of proposals to downsize the US’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA, where between 1990 and 1992, Earle was chief scientist), she makes a compelling case for why public funding in climate science is essential. "It’s not about politics," she stresses. "It’s for the good of people. Knowledge from NOAA’s research isn’t a commodity—it’s a lifeline. I've been a witness to this time of extraordinary discovery and realise that the greatest era of discovery is truly just beginning.”

Earle has never been afraid to use her decades of experience and research to speak out and demand change. A great example was when she called out Google Maps whose designers had forgotten to include the oceans. Earle cheekily suggested a rename—without the seas it was Google Dirt, not Google Earth. From there, months of new programming and Earle releasing her data would culminate in Google’s mapping of simulated oceans.

When Earle speaks about the ocean, her words flow like a tide—powerful, urgent and unrelenting. But she doesn’t just rely on speeches or research papers; she channels her passion into films that move the heart before engaging the mind. “Knowledge alone is not enough. To really inspire change, you need to connect here,” she says, pointing to her chest.

Earle’s latest cinematic endeavour, Souls, is a film (with an accompanying memoir that was released in November) capturing the remarkable stories of six individuals whose lives and work are tied to the ocean, including Earle, underwater photographers Michael Aw, David Doubilet and Jennifer Hayes; and ichthyologists Richard Pyle and Brian Greene. It encapsulates the spiritual connection between humanity and the ocean, and is due to be released in April 2025.

“It’s about making people feel something,” explains Earle. “You can’t love what you don’t know, and you can’t protect what you don’t love.” She believes films hold a unique power to bridge the gap between cold data and human emotion, mobilising viewers into action. In a world enamoured with influencer reels and viral videos, her storytelling reminds us of what truly matters—the ocean’s health and our survival. After all, advocacy isn’t about hashtags or viral trends; it’s about creating a ripple effect that turns into a tide.

Earle’s prolific body of work also includes books. From Sea Change: A Message of the Oceans (published in 1996) to The World is Blue: How Our Fate and the Ocean’s Are One (released in 2009), her writing distills decades of scientific exploration into narratives accessible to everyone. “A book allows you to take a deep dive,” she explains. “It stays with people in a way that soundbites never can.” Her books are not just collections of facts but manifestos for the planet, each page a rallying cry to save what’s left.

Earle doesn’t shy away from addressing the dark side of the blue economy—overfishing, pollution and unchecked greed masquerading as sustainability. “The ocean is not a commodity,” she says firmly. “It’s our life support system.” She challenges many to confront the hard truths about corporate greenwashing and the destructive industries hiding behind glossy ads. It’s the kind of unflinching honesty that I aspire to bring into my own advocacy, pushing for real change in Singapore’s coastal waters through citizen science.

Earle is in Singapore for Blue Water EduFest and the world premiere of 2099: Power in Us, a new documentary she narrates in which climate advocates journey to Antarctica in search of solutions to preserve a habitable planet for humanity. These events, which took place in November, are not just gatherings—they’re platforms. “These moments bring people together,” she says, “but what matters is what happens after the applause.” She describes how film screenings in particular often spark the best conversations—not in the auditorium, but in the hallways and lobbies where collaborations are born.

As she speaks about the impact of storytelling, Earle leaves me with this: “Art has the power to reach places data cannot. We have to use every tool we have—film, books, music, you name it—because the ocean needs all of us.”

Another tool for Earle’s wheelhouse is the Deep Hope submersible, which is a mother-daughter venture. Earle’s daughter, Liz Taylor, is also an ocean explorer and is president of the marine technology company DOER Marine that was set up by her mother in 1992. This brings Earle’s conservation efforts full circle. 

Designed to glide quietly through the ocean’s depths, these clear-bubble subs aim to offer a new way to observe marine life. “It’s like being a sea creature,” Earle says, her enthusiasm infectious. She sees these subs not just as research tools but as a way to make the ocean accessible to citizen scientists. “Imagine using this technology in regions like Singapore,” she muses, “to monitor marine biodiversity and discover non-extractive values of our waters.”

Earle believes the mapping of deep sea environments and presenting scientific discoveries found in the depths have the power to prevent overfishing and the depletion of ocean resources.  

“To go quietly, turn off the lights and just witness where most of life on Earth exists in the dark, except for all these twinkling bioluminescent lights, the great honour to hear the natural sounds in the sea. Some of them are subtle, others are big and noisy. The beautiful wail of whales. Some fish really are, as their name might suggest, grunts. Groupers make a big, deep sound, and there are some that make sounds like electronic music,” she says.

Certainly if the mass public sees and hears underwater life in such a unique and wondrous way, the world, especially Asia, could see ocean creatures less as seafood and more as wildlife.

As the granddaughter of a fisherman myself, I know how difficult this idea is for people in Asia, especially for Singaporeans whose first question during an inter-tidal walk or seaweed visit to me is usually “can eat or not?” But the viewpoint of Earle fuels optimism through a lingering sense of urgency, a reminder that we’re fighting against time. As she puts it, "Our existence depends on the ocean." Her parting words echo in my mind: "We have the knowledge to change our habits, but we must act before it's too late."

Earle’s work reminds me why I started Ocean Purpose Project—not to be an influencer, but to be a solutionist. Our shared grief for the damaged seas is real, but so is our hope. From Pasir Ris to the global stage, my mission feels even more urgent. We are all, as Earle says, stewards of this blue world. So, here’s to action—real action—that transcends words, ads and empty promises. The ocean is life. Let’s treat it that way.

Thank you, Her Deepness, for showing us how.

Dr Sylvia Earle was interviewed by Gen.T Leader of Tomorrow Mathilda D’Silva, who is founder and CEO of Ocean Purpose Project, a social enterprise dedicated to driving ocean conservation and plastic pollution prevention using a mix of deep technology and nature-based solutions.

Front & Female Changemakers celebrates the extraordinary journeys of inspiring women who have emerged as powerful changemakers in a range of fields, offering a glimpse into their lives and showcasing their courage, vision and relentless pursuit of change and progress. From social entrepreneurs and business leaders to educators, artists, activists and scientists, Front & Female changemakers exemplify the ability to challenge the status quo and demonstrate the power of women to effect change.

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