The Mission Blue connection | Amy Novogratz | TEDxGreatPacificGarbagePatch

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.

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)