Exploring the Hidden Costs of Plastic featuring acclaimed environmental journalist Beth Gardiner, author of “Plastic Inc.

On Tuesday, May 5th, the Land Alliance welcomed supporters and friends in midtown Manhattan for a memorable, thought-provoking evening. It featured acclaimed environmental journalist Beth Gardiner, author of “Plastic Inc.”

The event was a tremendous success. The audience joined us for cocktails, a book signing and an eye-opening conversation about the link between fossil fuels, plastic production and climate change.

Beth, in conversation with Bloomberg writer Madison Darbyshire, shed light on a reality many people overlook, which is that plastic begins in an oil field. Nearly all conventional plastic is made from fossil fuels, and as demand for gasoline declines, the oil industry is increasingly investing in plastic production as a future profit center.

Guests learned how plastic pollution affects our environment at every stage of its life cycle, from drilling and refining to manufacturing and disposal. Beth discussed how plastic contaminates waterways, harms wildlife and contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and the global climate crisis. She also offered practical solutions that individuals and communities can adopt to reduce plastic consumption and advocate for systemic change.

The evening concluded with a lively discussion, as attendees continued conversations sparked by Beth’s information. Many guests left energized, ready to rethink their daily habits and deepen their commitment to environmental stewardship.

We are deeply grateful to our Event Committee, generous sponsors, Beth, Madison and everyone who joined us for this special gathering. Events like this remind us that preserving open space is part of the solution to addressing environmental hazards like the production and prolific use of plastic.

Land trusts offset plastic pollution by protecting and restoring ecosystems that naturally filter pollutants, trap debris in wetland, and restore coastal habitats. By conserving forests and wetlands, we maintain natural filters that clean our air, cool the planet and stop plastics from reaching oceans, while supporting biodiversity.

Between us and among us we must address this threat!