In 1997, while sailing across the Pacific Ocean, Captain Charles Moore took a shortcut through the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre. Expecting to see clear, pristine waters, he instead encountered a swirling expanse of floating plastic debris — a discovery that would change the world's understanding of ocean pollution. Join CEC and Santa Barbara Channelkeeper for an evening with Captain Charles Moore, beginning with a 2019 documentary by the Korean Broadcasting System exposing the alarming reality of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch and concluding with an exclusive Q&A with Capt. Moore.

Compelled to act, Capt. Moore founded the Algalita Marine Research and Education non-profit and Moore Institute for Plastic Pollution Research. His landmark study on microplastics in the North Pacific Gyre revealed that for every kilogram of plankton in the ocean, there are 6 kilograms of plastics — research widely cited in media and science publications worldwide. Come ask questions, deepen your understanding, and connect directly with one of the world’s leading voices on plastic pollution!