Mission Blue inspires action to explore and protect the ocean. In 2009, Earle’s work was honored by TED. As part of her TED prize, she was granted one wish that could change the world: “I wish you would use all means at your disposal – films, the web, expeditions, new submarines, a campaign! – to ignite public support for a network of global marine protected areas, Hope Spots large enough to save and restore the ocean, the blue heart of the planet.” And so, Mission Blue™ was created—to build a global coalition to improve ocean protection measures and restore the health of the ocean. Since its inception, Mission Blue has been growing in scale; building interest and momentum with partners around the world. The vision of Mission Blue is to increase marine protected areas from just over 2% to 20% by 2020. Dr. Earle has identified ocean areas around the globe that deserve special attention and elevated protection. Hope Spot Expeditions are planned for 2013 and beyond to explore and monitor these critical marine reserves. Dr. Earle’s acceptance speech at TED has become iconic in the conservation community. “I hope that you, watching the TED talk will perhaps become inspired to find out more for yourself about the ocean and why it matters. I hope that this is just a taste, enough to ignite in you a sense of wonder and realize that the ocean is in trouble. And that means that we are in trouble. But there is plenty of reason for hope. We have time – not a lot, this is the time to act.”