Sylvia Earle pioneered the movement for ocean exploration. Earle has spent more than 6,000 hours underwater and was among the first underwater explorers to make use of SCUBA gear. After wining the 2009 TED Prize, Earle launched Mission Blue, an organization working to establish marine-protected areas, otherwise known as Hope Spots. Earle’s continuous research is leading to a deeper understanding of the world’s oceans and how they must be protected.