CAPT. CHARLIE MOORE, DISCOVERER OF THE NORTH PACIFIC GARBAGE PATCH, TO SPEAK AT SUSTAINABILITY KICK-OFF AT UH-MANOA ON TUE., 1/17/12

HONOLULU, Oahu (Jan. 17, 2012) - A coalition of sustainability and environmental groups will converge at the University of Hawai'i-Manoa's Campus Center Ballroom on Tue., Jan. 17, from 11:30-2:00,  to launch the Semester of Sustainability Kick-Off.   The keynote speaker will be Captain Charles Moore, the founder of the Algalita Marine Research Foundation who discovered the North Pacific Garbage Patch.  Moore will be talking about his new book Plastic Ocean and his research about the growing amount of plastic marine pollution in the Garbage Patch and the world's oceans.

Sustainable UH is hosting the event in conjunction with the KYA Sustainability Studio, the Surfrider Foundation, the UHM Sustainability Corps, the Kokua Hawaii Foundation and the Ecology Club. These and other organizations are coordinating to develop partnerships, recruit members, and share upcoming activities, projects and campaigns.  Students and members of the community will learn about new sustainability initiatives launched by UHM students, faculty, and administration.

Building on Capt. Moore's talk about the environmental and human health hazards of marine plastic pollution, the coalition will announce a new initiative to join the Rise Above Plastics (RAP) Campaign and make UHM a plastic bag-free campus.  The RAP Coalition is working to pass a statewide bill to reduce single-use plastic and paper bags and encourage the use of reusable bags, bottles and containers.

Along with the Semester of Sustainability Kick-Off on Tue., Jan. 17, at the UHM's Campus Center Ballroom, Capt. Charlie Moore and co-author Cassandra Phillips will also be signing books and giving free public talks at:

• Bookends Book Store in Kailua on Mon., 1/16, 6:00 pm;
• Kahuku High School on Tue., 1/17, 8:15am;
• Indigo Restaurant on Tue., 1/17, 6:00pm.This book signing party is co-sponsored bythe Kokua Hawaii Foundation & Surfrider Foundation.

Sustainable UH is a campus organization made up of students and staff who are striving to establish the University of Hawaii System as a world leader in sustainable education, research and practices.

The KYA Sustainability Studio is a locally owned and grown practice, located in Waikiki, that offers a broad range of custom-tailored, professional sustainability services. In honor of its roots at UH, the Studio stepped forward to sponsor the Semester of Sustainability Kick-Off and ensure that the legacy of Sustainable UH (and Sustainable Saunders) continues.

The Kokua Hawai'i Foundation is a non-profit organization that supports environmental education in the schools and communities of Hawai'i.

The Surfrider Foundation is a non-profit grassroots organization dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of our world's oceans, waves and beaches through a powerful, activist network.

UHM Semester of Sustainability Kick-Off

Date: Tuesday, January 17th, 2012

Time: 11:30 - 2:00pm

Location: Manoa Campus Center Ballroom

CONTACT:

Nicole Ferguson, Sustainable UH, (808) 388-3809, sustainability@thekyastudio.com;

Stuart Coleman, Surfrider Foundation, (808) 381-6220, scoleman34@gmail.com