Tag Archives: Plastics 360

Turn the tide on marine litter – Plastics 360 Mar 7 & 16

Leila Monroe, staff attorney at NRDC, just sent us a 2012 paper by the Convention on Biological Diversity.  The Center reports that 663 marine species have been harmed by marine litter through entanglement and ingestion—a two-thirds increase in species from a similar study in 1998.  You can see the report here:  Impacts of Marine Debris on BiodiversitySea lion entangled - MMC

Another 2012 paper reports the annual expenditures of California’s coastal communities to combat litter:  over $418 million.  This report, presented by the EPA is summarized neatly here: 

West Coast Communities’ Cost of Managing Marine Debris.

We don’t have to keep living this way.  On Thursday, March 7, and Saturday, March 16, join fellow citizens and decision makers to listen, learn, and converse on ways to end the plague of plastic pollution.

Chris at micChris Pincetich, PhD, will be one of the local leaders at both events, giving us insight into the problem, and discussing solutions that are already at hand.  Come to Berkeley on Thursday, March 7, for an evening of Films and Conversation.  Then, come to Lafayette on Saturday, March 16, for a day-long exploration of issues and possibilities for action, from home to office to government, with Chris, Dr. Marion Guyer, author Beth Terry, and other luminaries. Register here.

 

Save the date: Plastics 360 this March

It is a great joy to announce this year’s conference on Plastics 360:  Impact and Possibilities. 

Local experts and activists will gather to share their findings and insights, and to include you in the conversation on what we can do to end the plague of plastic pollution.

Thursday, March 7:  Film Night at the Berkeley Unitarian Fellowship Hall, 7-9 pm.

Saturday, March 16:  Conference at the Lafayette Public Library, 9:30 am – 4:00 pm.

Cost:  Film Night $15.  Conference $30 advance registration; $40 after March 1 ($10 discount for Green Sangha members and students with current ID).

For more details, click here.  To register, call (510) 532-6574 or write info@greensangha.org.

Plastics 360 is a continuing project of the Enviromental Forum of Marin, Class 39, and Green Sangha’s Rethinking Plastics Campaign.

Plastics in the Ocean

MARINE LITTER

By Chris Pincetich, Ph.D., Turtle Island Restoration Network
Tuesday, Sept. 25th 6:30 pm
Marin TV Comcast Channel 26/AT&T 99
Livestream:  http://cmcm.tv/livecommunity

Watch a captivating talk, recorded at the Plastics 360: Impacts & Possibilities conference this March, on the effects of plastics in our oceans.

The weight of plastic produced annually in the United States is more than twice the weight of our entire population.  Plastic waste is accumulating not only in our landfills, but also in our streets, parks, and waterways.  A 2001trawl of surface waters of the northern Pacific Ocean by the Algalita Marine Research Foundation (AMRF) recovered six pounds of plastic pieces for every pound of zooplankton.  In 2008, the ratio had climbed to 48:1.  In this section of the ocean, the North Pacific Gyre, AMRF reports one million plastic particles were found floating near the surface for every square kilometer, up three times since the early 1990s.

Learn about the latest data and steps being taken to protect and restore endangered sea turtles and marine biodiversity worldwide.  Become informed and join us in taking action, from reducing our plastic footprint at home to persuading our offices to give up disposable plastics, to advocating for a statewide producer take-back law.

Plastics 360: Impact & Possibilities is co-sponsored by GreenSangha.org and the Environmental Forum of Marin.

Video Producer/Director: Cynthia Abbott

Plastics 360: film night & conference

What are the effects of plastic in our daily lives?  What can you do to protect the environment and your health?  Hear local leaders in conservation and resource recovery describe issues and solutions.  This year’s conference takes place on March 7 in Berkeley and March 16 in Lafayette.  For a full description, click here.  (Last year’s conference is described below.)

Join us for a comprehensive introduction to the latest research on plastic in the oceans, innovations in bioplastics, how recycling fits into the picture, and ways that we each can shift to life-sustaining materials.

Who should attend:  students, teachers, business managers and owners, civic leaders, citizen activists, and anyone interested in sustainable living.

Friday, March 16, 7-9 pm.   Introduction & film night.  No charge, but reservations required!   Contact info@greensangha.org or call (510) 532-6574 to register.

  • Film shorts:  Addicted to Plastic (selection); We can recycle plastic (Mike Biddle); Bring Your Canvas Bag (Tim Minchin)
  • Moderator:  Chris Pincetich, PhD, Sea Turtle Restoration Project

Where:  111 McInnis Parkway, San Rafael, 94903

Saturday, March 17, 9:30 am – 4:00 pm.   Conference.
Fee:  $40 ($20 for Green Sangha and EFM members, and students with current ID).  Register here.

  • Celebrating Plastics.  Susan Freinkel, author of Plastic:  A Toxic Love Story
  • Marine Litter.  Chris Pincetich, Ph.D., Sea Turtle Restoration project
  • Plastics in Our Bodies.  Nancy Buermeyer, Breast Cancer Fund
  • Does Recycling Work?  Kim Scheibly, Marin Sanitary Service
  • Bioplastics – Our Future?  Thomas Wright, Sustainable Business Practices
  • Nine Reasons That Personal Changes Matter.  Beth Terry, myplasticfreelife.com
  • Transformational Events.  Mary Munat, www.green-mary.com
  • Putting It All Together.  Pam Kramer, ITP International
  • Plus!  Opening meditation with Maeve Murphy and Mindful movement with Debra McKnight Higgins

WhereSt. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 3 Bay View Avenue at Golden Gate, Belvedere, 94920

Refreshments:  BYO lunch!  We will provide coffee and beverages.  (BYO mug if you can.)

Reservations:  Click on the links above or call (510) 532-6574, or write info@greensangha.org

Co-sponsors
° Environmental Forum of Marin – leading Marin’s environmental conversations for over 40 Years, www.MarinEFM.org
° Sea Turtle Restoration Project, protecting and restoring endangered sea turtles and marine biodiversity worldwide, www.seaturtles.org/