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We're here today to address
one of the most pressing issues we face:

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the health of our oceans
and the plastics that contaminate them,

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the impact on marine life,

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and the hazards they face,
the hazards that we all face.

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As a member of the TED community,
I've witnessed the power of collaboration.

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It's through gatherings like this

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that unite us and help us hackle
the most critical challenges.

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Indeed, together, we actually
can make magic happen.

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As the director at the TED Prize,
it's my job, and also, really my privilege

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to bring people together
and put them behind big ideas.

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To give you a little context:

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the TED Prize was born out
of the TED conference.

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It's the vision

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of the leading entrepreneurs,
innovators, and entertainers

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to change the world one wish at a time.

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The winner is awarded 100,000 dollars
and a wish to change the world.

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They are chosen because of the difference
they've already made

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and really their ability to inspire
this community and catalyze them to act.

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In 2009, Dr. Sylvia Earle
won the TED Prize

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because of her lifelong commitment
to saving the oceans.

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Sylvia was already a hero to many,
and her wish was to ignite public support

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to create a global network
of marine protected areas

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in order to save and restore the ocean.

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As a part of her wish, I participated

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on the Mission Blue voyage
to the Galapagos,

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made up of technology innovators,
conservationists, entrepreneurs,

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actors, and artists who were
all there for one reason:

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protecting our seas.

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You can imagine there was
a lot of intelligence, passion, and energy

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on board of that one vessel.

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And one of those people was Dianna Cohen

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the co-founder
of the Plastic Pollution Coalition.

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And Dianna really made us all aware
of the consequences of plastic

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and inspired us to act.

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It's nothing short of heartbreaking
to be out there on the sea,

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one of the most beautiful
and vital resources on our planet,

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and to realize the scope
of plastic pollution

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and its impact on marine life
and on our own health.

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Proving the positive power
of the TED community,

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many of us got off that boat,
and we simply refuse to use plastic,

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and some made generous commitments
to help spread this message.

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The TED prize originated

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because we wanted to take
all of the inspiration, the energy,

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that sense of possibility
that you feel while experiencing TED,

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and put it behind big ideas
in order to really make an impact.

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So for me, it's been amazing to see
what Sylvia's wish has spawned

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so many initiatives
and so many generous commitments.

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What started with Sylvia
making a wish at TED

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lead to 100 of us
getting on board of a boat

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and working together to figure out
a solution to save the ocean,

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and that lead to Diana Cohen
and the Plastic Pollution Coalition

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producing this event.

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And then, with all of you in the room,
and so many of you watching online,

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there is a real potential
for countless of other acts

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that will help make this
a healthier planet.

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You are at the forefront of this movement
to get plastics out of the water,

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and it's with your support
that we will see real change.

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It's an honor to be here today,

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and I want to thank you

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for your leadership that will lead
to a healthier planet and create a world

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where our children and where
their children will be able to thrive.

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Thank you.

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(Applause)