Notable actors and activists will join forces this spring to support The 5 Gyres Institute at the Voices 4 Oceans benefit storytelling event in Santa Monica, CA. Storytellers at the “Tall Tales & Silver Linings” themed event include Ashlan Gorse Cousteau (E! Entertainment), Danni Washington (“After Earth”), Eric Balfour (“Haven”), youth activist Erin Schrode, Graham Hamilton (“Code Black”), comedian Jake Johanssen, author Jillian Lauren, environmental activists Jordan Howard and Lindsay Dahl, Shiva Rose (“Return to Babylon”), Steve Connell (“We Are the Lions”), and designer/entrepreneur Steve Glenn, with surprise guests expected.
Voices 4 Oceans will take place at the beautiful Moss Theater on March 23rd. In addition to the live program, there will be a reception with an open bar, light appetizers and a silent auction. VIP guests will enjoy assigned seating and an exclusive backstage meet-and-greet with our storytellers.
All proceeds will support the 5 Gyres mission to end the global health crisis of plastic pollution, because:
300 million tons of new plastic is produced in the United States each year and less than 10 percent of plastic is recovered for recycling.
5.25 trillion particles weighing in at 270,000 tons of “plastic smog” pollute our oceans worldwide—and a full 80% of that marine plastic pollution comes from land.
More than 600 species are endangered or killed by marine plastic pollution.
Plastic wreaks havoc on a marine ecosystem dependent on phytoplankton, which produce 70% of the earth’s oxygen and sequester 40% of its carbon.
A tiny piece of plastic can be one million times more toxic than the water around it.
Fish are eating these microplastics—and we’re eating the fish.
We’ve been fighting plastic ocean pollution since 2009, when 5 Gyres began a series of scientific firsts by researching plastic in all five subtropical gyres, as well as the Great Lakes and Antarctica. In 2014, the organization convened eight scientists around the world to publish the first Global Estimate of Marine Plastic Pollution. Our paper on plastic microbead pollution in the Great Lakes inspired a two-year collaborative campaign that culminated in a federal ban, which President Obama signed into law in 2015. This year, we’re taking on polystyrene, while continuing to inspire activism through our art, education, science and adventure programs.
Thank you to our sponsors Aquarium of the Pacific, Ben Harper, Brett Stanley, Bodhi Surf School, Brie English, Bureo Skateboards, ChicoBag, Costa, Gold Frame Media, Hardwood Music Company, Hilary Beane Designer Jewelry, Indigenous, Jack Johnson, Jeux de Vagues, Joan Hall, Josie Maran Cosmetics, Karl Strauss Brewing Company, Klean Kanteen, Kris Goto, Life Without Plastic, Manduka, Mark Cunningham, Nordic Naturals, Okiino, Omnibus Delecto, Outerknown, Reed’s, Robert Lee, Samudra Skin & Sea, Six Flags Magic Mountain, Supercyclers, The Refill Shoppe, and U*Konserve.
