We're here today to address one of the most pressing issues we face:
the health of our oceans and the plastics that contaminate them,
the impact on marine life,
and the hazards they face, the hazards that we all face.
As a member of the TED community, I've witnessed the power of collaboration.
It's through gatherings like this
that unite us and help us hackle the most critical challenges.
Indeed, together, we actually can make magic happen.
As the director at the TED Prize, it's my job, and also, really my privilege
to bring people together and put them behind big ideas.
To give you a little context:
the TED Prize was born out of the TED conference.
It's the vision
of the leading entrepreneurs, innovators, and entertainers
to change the world one wish at a time.
The winner is awarded 100,000 dollars and a wish to change the world.
They are chosen because of the difference they've already made
and really their ability to inspire this community and catalyze them to act.
In 2009, Dr. Sylvia Earle won the TED Prize
because of her lifelong commitment to saving the oceans.
Sylvia was already a hero to many, and her wish was to ignite public support
to create a global network of marine protected areas
in order to save and restore the ocean.
As a part of her wish, I participated
on the Mission Blue voyage to the Galapagos,
made up of technology innovators, conservationists, entrepreneurs,
actors, and artists who were all there for one reason:
protecting our seas.
You can imagine there was a lot of intelligence, passion, and energy
on board of that one vessel.
And one of those people was Dianna Cohen
the co-founder of the Plastic Pollution Coalition.
And Dianna really made us all aware of the consequences of plastic
and inspired us to act.
It's nothing short of heartbreaking to be out there on the sea,
one of the most beautiful and vital resources on our planet,
and to realize the scope of plastic pollution
and its impact on marine life and on our own health.
Proving the positive power of the TED community,
many of us got off that boat, and we simply refuse to use plastic,
and some made generous commitments to help spread this message.
The TED prize originated
because we wanted to take all of the inspiration, the energy,
that sense of possibility that you feel while experiencing TED,
and put it behind big ideas in order to really make an impact.
So for me, it's been amazing to see what Sylvia's wish has spawned
so many initiatives and so many generous commitments.
What started with Sylvia making a wish at TED
lead to 100 of us getting on board of a boat
and working together to figure out a solution to save the ocean,
and that lead to Diana Cohen and the Plastic Pollution Coalition
producing this event.
And then, with all of you in the room, and so many of you watching online,
there is a real potential for countless of other acts
that will help make this a healthier planet.
You are at the forefront of this movement to get plastics out of the water,
and it's with your support that we will see real change.
It's an honor to be here today,
and I want to thank you
for your leadership that will lead to a healthier planet and create a world
where our children and where their children will be able to thrive.
Thank you.
(Applause)