New developments, new initiatives, and a new ED!

Meet our new Executive Director, Air!
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Chck out this video to get to know the newest member of the 5 Gyres Family!
Q&A with Air
5G: When did you develop a love for protecting our oceans from plastic pollution?
Air: One day about 3 or 4 years ago, I was about to go out and surf in the Santa Monica area. I was reading the waves from the beach and preparing to paddle out to the line up. Only a surfer knows the excitement you feel observing the waves coming in from the shore. When I found my spot, a perfect little gem of a wave came rolling in, and I caught it! And, I got a nice, fun ride on the face of the wave. When I was paddling back out to the line up, 4 used plastic soda bottles were floating next to my board. It was that moment that I knew there was a problem that I needed to do all I can to solve.

(...To read the rest of this Q&A, scroll to the bottom of this newsletter!)
POLICY UPDATE:
"California is leading the charge against wasteful packaging and single use items with SB 54 + AB 1080 - the Circular Economy and Pollution Reduction Act. This monumental bill will reduce all single-use packaging and priority food serviceware in California by 75% and ensure that the remaining items are effectively reusable, recyclable or compostable by 2030. There's only a few days left before this goes to vote, show your support and call your legislators today by clicking the button below!"
Tell your legislator you don't want single-use plastic! ([link removed][UNIQID])
Even if you don't live in California you can help us flood the phones with calls by sending this action alert ([link removed][UNIQID]) to any friends or family you have in the state. You can even share the link ([link removed][UNIQID]) on your social media channels!
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Coastal Cleanup Day 2019

International Coastal Cleanup Day is upon us! You can sign up to join a brand audit worldwide and do a Cleanup on 9/21. Sign up here ([link removed][UNIQID]) . 5 Gyres will be helping lead two Cleanups in California. Click here ([link removed][UNIQID]) to find out more about where we'll be and who we're partnering with! Data will be catalogued using the TrashBlitz ([link removed][UNIQID]) app.

Join Our NEW Webinar!
You've shown us your interest via social media, through email, and at events. Now we'll be having a monthly LIVE webinar where we'll go over the latest information on plastic pollution, while giving YOU space to ask all your questions! Click here ([link removed][UNIQID]) to sign up!
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On September 20th, join us in supporting a global week of climate action, acknowledging the devastating impacts of climate change on frontline communities and global populations. 5 Gyres sees the increasingly clear connections between plastic, fossil fuel infrastructure, and climate change - read this excellent report ([link removed][UNIQID]) by CIEL that 5 Gyres contributed to this year.
We will be joining our partners in the Last Chance Alliance ([link removed][UNIQID]) - and we hope you can join us too.

Please consider supporting our efforts to stop plastic pollution at the source. Support our programs ([link removed][UNIQID]) , or start a small fundraiser ([link removed][UNIQID]) on Crowdrise. Together we can make a difference in the global plastic pollution crisis.
Partners Doing Awesome Things:
Brew Dr. Kombucha: Debunks Kombucha ([link removed][UNIQID])
Bambaw: Why Bamboo? ([link removed][UNIQID])
Plaine Products: Book Recommendations to Help the Planet ([link removed][UNIQID])
5 GYRES IN THE NEWS ([link removed][UNIQID])
... Q&A with Air Continued:

5G: Why does 5 Gyres feel like the perfect fit for you?
Air: 5 Gyres feels like the perfect fit for me because we base our initiatives on science and research. It is critical that we know and understand the facts of the problem and provide clear evidence that the plastic smog in our oceans impacts our global health. Leveraging science as the basis of our understanding, we can have profound impacts on policy measures, plastic free product innovation, and educating the public. I really enjoy the spirit and journey that Marcus and Anna took to get the organization to where it is and I want to do all I can to continue that legacy while having fun and creating a better world for our future generations.

5G: What work were you involved with leading up to this point?
Air: Recently, I was the Senior Vice President of Programs for Mercy for Animals in which I helped to optimize their programs to support better animal welfare standards. Prior to that, I've always taken leadership roles primarily in the health and wellness space including implementing Dr. Dean Ornish's Program for Reversing Heart Disease at UCLA Health. Also, I am a documentary filmmaker and love the art of storytelling. I've worked on several projects over the years especially creating yoga and meditation videos, music concerts, and a feature documentary on the history of African-American surfers called "White Wash".


5G: What is a mantra that you live by?
Air: Leonard Cohen once said, "Ring the bells that still can ring, forget your perfect harmony, there is a crack in everything, that's how the light gets in." I try to live by that.

5G: What is your favorite book or film, why?
Air: My favorite book as of late is "Sapiens" by Yuval Noah Harari. I couldn't put it down and I recommend that everyone read that book. My favorite narrative feature is Mad Max: Fury Road, not sure it gets better than that and my favorite documentary is "Streetwise" capturing street kids in downtown Seattle, pre-tech and pre-gentrification in 1984. It's mind blowing!

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