The oceans dominate our blue planet yet marine species are some of the first to go. Called into action, these GreenHeroes are defending marine life with every means necessary, from the written word to waging battles at sea.

Mary Gorman: Mary Gorman is trying to stop a disaster before it starts: Canada’s own Gulf Oil Spill. Twelve years ago, Mary turned from fisherman’s wife to Green Hero after two leases were issued for oil and gas development on the shores of her Nova Scotia home. Knowing spills were likely and would impact 2,000 marine species including endangered ones, Mary decided to prevent a disaster instead of reacting later. Today Mary has formed a growing movement with support from celebrities like Ethan Hawke and Jason Priestley. Her struggle and resulting victory led to her winning the inaugural GreenHeroes award, as selected by fans of the web channel and a jury of esteemed environmental and broadcast judges.

Farley Mowat: Farley Mowat is one of Canada’s most widely read authors and best-known conservationists; his books, such as Never Cry Wolf, have reached more than 14 million readers. After Farley’s war service in 1946, he trekked in Canada’s Great North where he witnessed the demise of Indigenous culture and animals by industrial colonialism. Today, Farley is one of Canada’s most vocal conservationists, using his books and voice to shed light on the loss of nature and the need to protect it. He is an active supporter of such groups as Sea Shepherd and Mary Gorman’s mission to protect the Gulf of St. Lawrence.

Alexandra Cousteau: Through her Blue Legacy project and as a filmmaker and TV host, Alexandra continues the work of her renowned grandfather Jacques-Yves Cousteau and her father Philippe Cousteau Sr. Born into a storytelling tradition, she has mastered their talent to inspire and empower individuals to protect not only the ocean and its inhabitants, but also the human communities that rely on freshwater resources.