I am looking at ways to make the whole human/natural world connection more relevant to people on a practical basis. I've talked about expeditions and beautiful places, and that makes people dream and want to travel. But to bring it back to the practical is what really matters.

The environment is hugely important in the upcoming election, especially when you consider things like Al Gore's An Inconvenient Truth and how much attention that got. At some point, people need to recognize that green is not about fashion.

Some say, “Green is the new black.” No, it's not. Green is a way of life. Green is the future. We don't have any choice.

People are making choices about voting in terms of how the candidates are answering those questions. In terms of the presidential election, I am very clear about my choice and what my decision is going to be.

When it comes to Sarah Palin, I think to be able to sit down with that type of person, talking face-to-face, without being defensive, is the most effective approach. Trying to change somebody's mind over an exchange of articles—it doesn't work that way. She has her political agenda she's trying to boost.

I think the most important thing is to speak her language. You can't expect someone to hear you if you're not talking to them in their language. She has kids. She has to see that the future of this planet we live on is important to her because she has kids, and they are going to inherit the planet.

There's no doubt, if you present valid scientific research and data, that [global warming] is happening. There's the argument that the Earth has gone through an ice age, and it's gone through heating before. But we are here now. We're going to have to deal with this! How can you not? It's a fact that it is happening. So let's get over your argument about why it's happening and address the issue that it is happening. What are you going to do?

I see women as very powerful agents of social change. The female community, once they get involved in a project, will stay involved much longer than men do. Men are quicker to contribute, but I think that once the female consumer becomes aware of what her choices are, you really have stronger long-term advocates.

La Prairie's New Advanced Biology Cream was brought to my attention, along with their use of aquaculture. I'm not in the fashion and beauty industry, so [acting as their spokesperson] is all very new to me. But as I learned how they use aquaculture to harvest the marine plants rather than take them from the ocean, I found it intriguing that a luxury company was thinking not only of their products, but also of their impact on the environment. By growing these plants in a lab, they're not taking from the fragile marine ecosystem.

For a long time, environmental advocates have been thought of as Birkenstock-wearing tree-huggers. That's not the case anymore. More and more, it's acceptable that women are independent and powerful, and they are leaders. Hopefully I can serve as an example, as an inspiration to young girls of all they can become. We can be outgoing, adventurous, active, and beautiful and feminine at the same time.

I found a challenge in partnering up with an organization that is not environmental per se, but is environmentally-minded. I think that's really the key to accessing a new group of people. I don't usually talk to the fashion and beauty industry, and this has given me a new platform. It's kind of like when you're a little girl and you're playing dress-up. That's what I get to do now with La Prairie.

When people ask me questions now, I recognize my "different" childhood. It was like a fantasy life. I went to the Amazon when I was 9 and hung out on the Calypso [my grandfather's boat]. I had no clue who everybody was. There was some hippie guy on the boat with a long beard playing the guitar, and later I found out it was John Denver.

One of the ship's crew men had gone into a village market and came across a pygmy marmoset that was so small it fit into the palm of your hand. It was wearing this really tight string that was cutting into its skin. This was the '80s, and people would tell you to do differently now, but he ended up buying it from the guy and brought it onto the boat. What they tell you now is don't buy [exotic animals], because if you do, you're actually helping the illegal traders. Just walk away.

All the men on the boat had jobs and responsibilities, so my job was taking care of the monkey. I had him on this little harness tied to my finger. I had really long hair at the time, so he would hide behind my neck and play with my hair. I fed him and made sure he was safe. I had to go back to the US though, so I didn't get to keep him. We brought him to a zoo, because he wouldn't have been able to adapt.

I was never taught that these [experiences] made me more special than anyone else. But it opened up my eyes that I am one tiny element on this big planet. And I've had tremendous opportunities—to be able to do the things I've done, like catch piranhas for the scientists while we were out on the Amazon when I was 9! I mean, is that for real? But at the same time, I went to school just like any other kid.

My parents really let my brother and myself go off and do whatever we wanted to do, education and job-wise. My undergraduate studies were in psychology. My graduate studies were international and intercultural management. I grew up bi-cultural, traveling to France every year for a couple of months. Eventually that translated into not only looking across cultures internationally, but what's now most important for me: the human relationship with the environment. I'm looking at indigenous people, what that relationship is about, and what we can learn from it.

Now when I'm aboard a ship with my family, I obviously have a very different role to play than I did as a child. I have responsibilities, and I perform some very specific functions. But it feels natural. I didn't study this, it was never assumed that this was what I had to do, but I feel confident in my choice. This is what I want to do. I'm doing it because I want to do it, not because I was asked to.

Growing up, my family never raised me to think we were any different. Yes, my grandfather was famous, that is undeniable, but, at the same time, we were like everybody else. It wasn't until later on that there was name recognition within my own generation. Kids wouldn't necessarily ask questions, but in high school and college, they'd be like, “Oh, Cousteau. Jacques?” And I'd go, “Wow, everybody knows!”

It was all those personal moments with my grandfather that were special, in Paris or Monaco, and at Christmas. People ask, “What was he like?” Well, he was my grandfather! He told me stories and tried to convince me that Santa Claus was real. He was a very patient person, even with children. We just hung out. He told cool stories.

I hope to be able to inspire the next generation that they can really make a difference and feel that they have a stake in [the planet]. I think our generation is getting really cautious about what's going on, but the college kids are going to be the ones who take over. So for them to feel empowered and that they are intricately connected to the environment, I hope that's the message I can get across.