Orca by TED/James Duncan Davidson

After an amazing four days of dreaming, learning, envisioning and committing to a better future for the ocean, the Mission Blue Voyagers are home–and a sea change is already underway. Eight definitive initiatives were launched, and $15+ million was pledged by many of the individuals on board the National Geographic Endeavor.

Here’s a summary:

$1 million to help improve the protection of the waters around the Galapagos Islands
$500,000 to establish a network of marine protected areas in the Arctic, including a high seas science reserve 
$3.25 million to initiate a public affairs campaign to end fishing subsidies 
$350,000 to create educational programs to teach students about the ocean issues 
$1.1 million to launch a plan to support efforts underway by the government of Bermuda to protect the Sargasso Sea and commitments to raise a further $2.5 million to support the long-term efforts 
Initiative to bring together a pan-Pacific alliance to link seascapes across the Pacific 
$8 million to create a new partnership to fund longer-term oceans projects 
Campaign to promote the development and use of new technologies for ocean exploration and research 

Guests out on the water
TED/James Duncan Davidson

The Mission Blue Voyage comprised 100 leaders, thinkers, visionaries, conservationists, and no small number of celebrities—all of whom demonstrated their care for our planet’s Blue Heart.…