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The Mission Blue connection | Amy Novogratz | TEDxGreatPacificGarbagePatch

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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)
Title:
The Mission Blue connection | Amy Novogratz | TEDxGreatPacificGarbagePatch
Description:

This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at http://ted.com/tedx

Amy Novogratz, director of the TED Prize, talks about the TED Prize and Mission Blue.

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Video Language:
English
Team:
closed TED
Project:
TEDxTalks
Duration:
04:39

English subtitles

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