Hulot, Nicolas 1955-

PERSONAL:

Born April 30, 1955, in Lille, France.

ADDRESSES:

Home—France.

CAREER:

Environmentalist. Worked as photographer for Sipa Presse, as a radio reporter for France Inter, and as television producer. Producer and host of programs for French television, including Ushuaïa: Magazine of the Extreme, Operation Okavango, and Ushuaïa Nature, 1987—. Founder and president, Fondation Nicolas Hulot (environmentalist group), 1990—.

AWARDS, HONORS:

Named Officer of the Legion of Honor, Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres.

WRITINGS:

NONFICTION

Ces Enfants Qui Souffrent, Pac (Paris, France), 1978.

Les Chemins De Traverse, J.C. Lattès (Paris, France), 1989.

Nicolas Hulot Présente L'Amazone, A. Michel (Paris, France), 1991.

Etats D'âme, J.C. Lattès (Paris, France), 1991.

Questions De Nature, Plon (Paris, France), 1995.

A Mes Risques Et Plaisirs, Plon (Paris, France), 1998.

(With Robert Barbault and Dominique Bourg) Pour Que La Terre Reste Humaine, Seuil (Paris, France), 1999.

Ushuaïa Nature: Paradis Du Bout Du Monde, M. Lafon (Neuilly-sur-Seine, France), 2000.

(With the Comité de veille écologique) Combien De Catastrophes Avant D'agir? Manifeste Pour L'environnement à L'adresse Des Futurs Élus Et De Leurs Électeurs, Seuil (Paris, France), 2002.

Le Syndrome Du Titanic, Calmann-Lévy (Paris, France), 2004.

Graines De Possibles: Regards Croisés Sur L'écologie, Calmann-Lévy (Paris, France), 2005.

One Planet: A Celebration of Biodiversity, Abrams (New York, NY), 2006.

(With the Comité de veille écologique) Pour Un Pacte Écologique, Calmann-Lévy (Paris, France), 2006.

SIDELIGHTS:

Nicolas Hulot is a French writer, photographer, and television producer whose work in publicizing environmental issues has earned him an international reputation. In 2007, he presented a "Pacte Écologique," or "Ecological Pact," to the candidates for the French Presidential election, five of whom signed it to show their support. The document states that in the future, all political decisions must be made with an eye to solving the ecological problems facing planet Earth. His pact has been criticized and dismissed by many, even by some other environmentalists, who feel that Hulot has been too willing to accept funding from large industrial firms that do not conduct business in an environmentally sensitive way. Whatever its merits or shortcomings, the pact has brought attention to the ecological concerns that are Hulot's primary interest. Hulot has also taught many people to appreciate and protect the environment through the medium of his popular programs produced for French television.

Hulot was born in Lille, France, but grew up in Paris. At the age of nineteen he began working as a photographer for Sipa Presse, traveling all over the world in that capacity. Eventually he began working as a radio journalist, specializing in nature stories, which he reported in his own unique style. In 1987, he produced and hosted the television program Ushuaïa: Magazine of the Extreme, which became very popular with French viewers. Other series followed, chronicling Hulot's travels to some of the most remote locations on earth.

Hulot also spread his message through his books which, like his television programs, are concerned with inspiring people to appreciate the Earth's beauty and to realize how much the planet is in need of protection. His book One Planet: A Celebration of Biodiversity presents the earth in terms of eight ecosystems: mountains, forests, wetland, grasslands, deserts, oceans, polar regions, and cities. Using photography from a number of contributors, he illustrates these ecosystems and their great variety of life and beauty. Yet, "interspersed with stunning images of the natural world are images that will shock. As indeed they are meant to," said a contributor to Indie London. Thought-provoking photographs include those of a stork trapped in some trash, bloody images of a fish market, and pictures illustrating how man's activities allow for the unnatural proliferation of species such as the urban rat. By showing the effects of man's activity on the fragile planet, the author hopes to move people to take action and become involved in environmental issues. According to Booklist contributor Donna Seaman, it is "a big subject embraced by a big, beautiful book." One Planet and its author were praised by Roger Harris in the American Scientist, where he stated: "If the author's passion and self-awareness ever percolate up to the decision-makers of the world, perhaps, one day in the future, we will be celebrating."

BIOGRAPHICAL AND CRITICAL SOURCES:

PERIODICALS

American Scientist, November 1, 2006, review of One Planet: A Celebration of Biodiversity, p. 567.

Booklist, July 1, 2006, Donna Seaman, review of One Planet, p. 13.

Choice: Current Reviews for Academic Libraries, October, 2006, M. Evans, review of One Planet, p. 292.

E, November 1, 2006, review of One Planet, p. 59.

Library Journal, July 1, 2006, Marianne Stowell Bracke, review of One Planet, p. 103.

Publishers Weekly, May 8, 2006, review of One Planet, p. 57.

SciTech Book News, September, 2006, review of One Planet.

ONLINE

Astrotheme,http://www.astrotheme.fr/ (February 20, 2008), biographical information about Nicolas Hulot.

France Diplomatie Web site,http://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/ (February 20, 2008), biographical information about Nicolas Hulot.

Indie London,http://www.indielondon.co.uk/ (February 20, 2008), review of One Planet.

Nicolas Hulot Foundation Web site,http://www.ecoloe-nicolas-hulot.org (February 20, 2008).