PPC was proud to present the 2015 Plastic Gyre Symposium at Georgia State University on March 26-27, 2015.
The 2015 Welch symposium, “The Plastic GYRE: Artists, Scientists and Activists Respond,” is part of the Atlanta Science Festival, produced in an effort to raise awareness and discourse on the global crisis of plastic pollution, and featured an array of experts discussing the most current research, creative response, activism mobilization and industry best practices in a quest to address runaway global plastic pollution. The symposium was hosted by the Welch Foundation at Georgia State University, David J. Sencer Museum of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and Plastic Pollution Coalition.
Read a recap of the symposium from artist, professor and activist Pam Longobardi here.
Confirmed speakers for the 2015 Plastic Gyre Symposium:
Charles Moore – (Keynote) scientist, founder Algalita Marine Research /Education, Discover of Great Pacific Garbage Patch
Rachelle Carson-Begley – (MC) Actress, activist, sustainable living expert with Ed Begley ‘Living with Ed’
Abby Barrow – Scientist, Marine Environmental Research Institute, Maine
Lisa Boyle – Environmental Lawyer, Writer, Editor, Tulane Law Journal ‘Plastics’ issue
Antonia Calafat, Ph.D. Research Chemist, CDC’s National Center for Environmental Health
Ellen Caldwell – Art Historian at Otis, Pepperdine University, researches Balinese artist/activists
Dianna Cohen – Artist, Activist, Co-founder, CEO of Plastic Pollution Coalition
Steve Combs – Activist, Surfer, Surfrider Foundation National Board Member
Julie Decker – Artist, Director, Anchorage Museum and Curator of GYRE Exhibition
Barbara DeVries – Artist, Designer, Bahamas project
Marcus Eriksen – Scientist, Explorer, Director of Research and Co-founder of 5 Gyres Institute
Howard Ferren – Former Director of Conservation, Alaska SeaLIfe Center, Founder of GYRE Project
Jeff Gold – Engineer and Inventor of plastics-to-oil company Nexus Fuels
Cyrill Gutsch – Founder of Parley for the Oceans
Jenna Jambeck – UGA scientist, developer of app ‘Marine Debris Tracker’
Asher Jay – Artist – Designer, National Geographic Young Explorer
Sonya Kelliher-Combs – Artist, Native Alaskan, exhibitor in GYRE exhibition
J.J. Kelley – National Geographic Producer and award-winning filmmaker
Arielle Kilroy – Digital Product Director, SIERRA Club, Washington DC
Rick Kuykendall – Lawyer, Surfrider Foundation National Board Member, Key Litigator, BP Deep Horizon Disaster Class Action Suit
John Lanier – Executive Director, Ray Anderson Foundation
Pam Longobardi – Artist, Activist, GSU Distinguished University Professor, Drifters Project
Rod Mast – President/CEO, Oceanic Society and former VP of Conservation International
Susan Middleton – Guggenheim Fellow, Artist/Scholar/Author, Nat’l Geographic Photographer
Rashid Nuri – Director, Truly Living Well, Urban Gardener, former Clinton advisor on Agriculture
Jane Patton – Education Pioneer and Director of Data, Algiers Charter Schools Association
Olivia and Carter Ries – Activists, Co-founders, One More Generation
Chelsea Rochman – Ecotoxicologist, UC Davis, Plastic As Hazardous Waste
Scott Seydel – President and CEO, The Seydel Companies Sustainable Packaging Coalition, Chair Advisory Board of Elemental Impact
Laura Turner Seydel – Chair, Captain Planet Foundation, Co-founder Chattahoochee RiverKeeper, Board, Environmental Working Group
Robert Simmons – Artist, Scientist, Director of GSU Micro Imaging Lab
Stephanie Stuckey Benfield – Lawyer, Director of GreenLaw
Heather White – Executive Director of Environmental Working Group
Liz York – CDC Director of Sustainability
With special musical guest, Emily Saliers of the Indigo Girls
