The Ocean Cleanup is harnessing technologies to clean the world’s oceans and rivers. But, while many would agree that saving turtles and birds is important, why should we care when the oceans are so vast, and most of the plastic is fouling the waters and shores of the Global South? Learn about the importance of removing plastic marine debris and why reducing plastic pollution is simpler than many think during a thought provoking and engaging session on one organization’s decade-long journey to clean up the Great Pacific Garbage Patch and its plans for the future. 

Montgomery (Monty) Simus is the Global Director of Public Affairs, Policy, and Blue Finance at The Ocean Cleanup, a non-profit organization based in Rotterdam focused on developing technologies to eliminate ocean plastic, having removed millions of kilograms to date through projects in eight countries. With a background in impact investing and philanthropic initiatives that have benefited millions in the Global South, he holds a Bachelor of Arts from Yale and a Master in Public Policy from Harvard, with interests spanning climate change, resilient infrastructure and the water-energy-food nexus. 

This talk is sponsored by the Ashton J. and Virgina Graham O'Donnell Endowment in Global Studies