At the 2011 Summit at Sea, business leaders, artists, non-profit founders, and others gathered to discuss the present and the future, and specifically how we can all help address the problems facing the ocean. View some of the most creative, catchy, or otherwise interesting submissions below. After two weeks of voting, the Viewers' Choice Winner with 27% of the vote was the Migrating Mural by Jane Kim.

More From Summit at Sea

  • Photo: A hammerhead shark swims towards the camera

    See All the Big Ideas

    The ideas featured above are only some of the more than 60 ideas sent in. View the full list and get inspired to launch an ocean-saving plan of your own.

More About the Ocean

  1. Photo: Fishing hooks

    Overfishing 101

    Follow this series of blog posts by Lee Crockett as he covers the state of our nation's ocean fish populations and policies that can help safeguard them for future generations.

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    Attacking Shark Gagged by Slime

    For the first time, scientists record the slime-secreting hagfish gagging predators, including sharks, with its very effective defense mechanism. Video.

  3. Video: How to Care for the Ocean

    The choices you make everyday can have a big impact on our ocean. Learn what you can do to save it.

  4. curiosity-barton-seaver_990x742.jpg

    Barton Seaver, Chef

    NG Fellow Barton Seaver believes that "dinner is full contact Environmentalism."

  5. Image: Marine food chain

    The Impact of Seafood

    Every year more than 170 billion pounds of wild fish and shellfish are caught in the oceans. Learn about the impact your seafood choices make on your health and the ocean in this interactive guide.

Green Living Hot Topics

  1. Photo: Potpourri

    Organic Air Fresheners

    Avoid toxic chemicals and create a calming space.

  2. Photo: Recycling bin

    Surprising Recyclable Household Items

    With a little know-how, you can recycle more than you think.

  3. Photo: Peeling carrots

    Side Effects of Vegetarianism

    Find out how to stay healthy and eat lower on the food chain.

See More »

The Great Energy Challenge

  1. An incandescent light bulb.

    Light Bulb Savings Calculator

    How much can you save yourself, and the world, by switching to more efficient bulbs?

  2. A bubble curtain technology test.

    Can Bubble Curtains Help Whales?

    Oil and wind power companies are testing a novel technology—air bubbles—to shield marine mammals from the sound of offshore operations.

  3. Deer at the 4-D Rush Lake Reserve

    Photos: Animals in Keystone XL's Path

    The U.S. government's rejection of the Keystone XL project is a reprieve for the many species that reside along the proposed route.

Step Up to the Challenge »

The World's Water

  1. global-footprint.jpg

    Visualizing Our Global Water Footprint

    You might be surprised to see how the daily choices you make affect critical watersheds around the world.

  2. Photo: Sunset at waterfalls

    Why Care About Water?

    National Geographic's freshwater initiative is a global effort to inspire communities to conserve water and restore rivers.

Learn More About Freshwater »

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