The Doyle Library is now hosting a peculiar art exhibit featuring a camel’s stomach and sculptures made of plastic trash. The traveling exhibit, ‘Saving Our Synthetic Seas’ is sponsored by the 5-Gyres Institute, along with four SRJC departments. It tells a story of the impact of plastic pollution.

Led by former ASB President Jessica Jones, four speakers addressed the necessity of change to a crowded audience packed into a corner of the library Jan. 23.

Carolynn Box of the 5-Gyres Institute discussed the exhibit and the Institute’s research. The 5-Gyres model is to engage citizens in a global movement working to end the flow of plastics into our shared oceans. Their next expedition is headed to the North Atlantic and has seven berths available for the public to join the crew. The 2014 North Atlantic Viking Expedition sets sail from Bermuda and ends three weeks later in Iceland.

Supervisor Shirlee Zane drove the issue of plastic pollution home as Sonoma County works to pass a single-use plastic bag ordinance throughout the region.  She discussed how businesses must reinvent the way they make and consume our products.

David Bannister of the Laguna de Santa Rosa Foundation inspired an appreciation and understanding of the Laguna, Sonoma County’s  main channel to the sea. It’s a unique ecological system that covers more than 30,000 acres and a major contributor to the county’s biological diversity.

Dennis Rosatti explained how Sonoma County Conservative Action facilitates a strong environmental vote. By knocking on tens of thousands of doors each year, they usher in environmentally concerned residents. Conservation Action then holds the local elected officials accountable by publishing a political report card. Supervisor Zane has excellent grades.

People mingled around the artwork at the close of the open house presentation. None of the refreshments were served with plastic.