When Earle won the TED Prize in 2009, she gave a TED Talk in which she made a wish: "I wish you would use all means at your disposal — films! expeditions! the web! new submarines! — to create a campaign to ignite public support for a global network of marine protected areas, Hope Spots large enough to save and restore the blue heart of the planet." This wish launched Mission Blue, Earle's initiative to create public awareness, access and support for marine protected areas worldwide.[29] That year, Earle also received the Artiglio Award (Premio Artiglio 2009).[30]