Dollars & Change Episode 21 Dianna Cohen

Driving Change in the Fight Against Plastic Pollution: Dianna Cohen on the Urgent Need for Action

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In the latest episode of Dollars & Change: The Expert’s Guide to Sustainable & Responsible Investing, host Peter Krull speaks with Dianna Cohen , CEO and co-founder of the Plastic Pollution Coalition, a global advocacy organization focused on combating plastic pollution.

Dianna’s environmental journey began in Southern California, where her love for the Pacific Ocean and her mother’s battle with cancer sparked her awareness of the growing plastic pollution problem. Her mother was diagnosed with estrogen-receptive breast cancer, and she learned that chemicals used to make plastics, plasticizing chemicals, like bisphenols and phthalates, have been identified as endocrine disruptors. Dianna’s first action to bring awareness to plastic pollution was through her love of art, where she created pieces from discarded plastic bags. Over time, her art evolved into activism as she uncovered the shocking truth about plastic’s widespread use and environmental consequences.

One of Dianna’s early projects with the Plastic Pollution Coalition was to address the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, a massive area of floating plastic debris. While she initially thought the debris could simply be collected and repurposed, she soon realized the complexity of the situation. The Garbage Patch, which spans over 2,000 square miles, is not just a surface problem—it extends through all layers of the ocean, with plastic even settling on the ocean floor. This pollution is constantly moving with ocean currents, washing up on shorelines and causing ongoing environmental damage.

Through the Plastic Pollution Coalition, Dianna advocates for systemic changes to reduce plastic waste. Her mission is to call plastic pollution what it is and push for lasting changes in policy and consumer behavior.

How You Can Make a Difference

When asked how individuals can help, Dianna offers several practical steps:

  • Reusable Items: Dianna advocates for the use of reusable items like steel cups, bamboo utensils, and stainless steel straws, all of which help avoid single-use plastics.
  • Sustainable Lunches: For families, Dianna suggests using durable, food-grade reusable containers for packing lunches.
  • Support for Refill Models: Dianna encourages supporting businesses that prioritize reusable and refillable models, noting that such systems are already successful in regions like Europe, Canada, and Southeast Asia, and are beginning to gain traction in the U.S.
  • Educate Yourself: Dianna recommends watching two documentaries to strengthen your education and understanding of plastic pollution. The first is The Story of Plastic, a film that explores the origins of plastic, its connection to fossil fuels. The second, Plastic People, discusses the impact of microplastics and plastic chemicals on the human body. Additionally, you can watch TEDx Great Pacific Garbage Patch talk for further insights..

Dianna stresses the importance of focusing on long-term solutions rather than short-term fixes. She believes that individuals, businesses, and governments all have a role to play in shifting away from plastic reliance and toward a cleaner, more sustainable economy.

Listen to the full episode of Dollars & Change to hear more about Dianna’s journey, the challenges ahead, and how we can all take action to fight plastic pollution.

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Be good. Invest better. 

The Earth Equity Team