Earle, Time magazine's first "Hero for the Planet," is a former chief scientist for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration whose many honors include the 2011 Royal Geographical Society Gold Medal. The founder of Mission Blue, among other organizations, Earle's focus includes creating a global web of "hope spots," marine sanctuaries in which activities including drilling and commercial fishing are prohibited. Stevens hopes the documentary's bluntness paired with Earle's optimism, encourages individuals and governments to respect the vulnerability of every body of water, whether oceans, rivers or streams. An avid scuba diver since his Florida days starring in Fox's 1993 series "Key West," Stevens said he's seen firsthand how much some fish populations and coral reefs have deteriorated over the years.