Ideas worth spreading

Why I'm rowing across the Pacific

722,039 views | Roz Savage • Mission Blue Voyage

Five years ago, Roz Savage quit her high-powered London job to become an ocean rower. She's crossed the Atlantic solo, and just started the third leg of a Pacific solo row, the first for a woman. Why does she do it? Hear her reasons, both deeply personal and urgently activist.

Five years ago, Roz Savage quit her high-powered London job to become an ocean rower. She's crossed the Atlantic solo, and just started the third leg of a Pacific solo row, the first for a woman. Why does she do it? Hear her reasons, both deeply personal and urgently activist.

This talk was presented at an official TED conference. TED's editors chose to feature it for you.

Join a movement to cut down on plastic by pledging to reuse mugs, water bottles and shopping bags.

About the speaker

Roz Savage

See speaker profile

Roz Savage gave up her life as a management consultant to row across the Atlantic in 2005. Her mission now is to row across the Pacific, from the West Coast to Australia, raising awareness along the way of plastic pollution, climate change and eco-heroism.

Chris Jordan and Sabine Emiliani | 2012 | Watch

Midway, a Message from the Gyre

Sylvia Earle | National Geographic, 2010 | Book

The World Is Blue

| Explore

5 Gyres

Learn how sustainable design changes can help clean up our oceans.

Learn more

This talk was presented at an official TED conference. TED's editors chose to feature it for you.

Join a movement to cut down on plastic by pledging to reuse mugs, water bottles and shopping bags.