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Feb. 20 — Community Environmental Council’s (CEC) — An Evening with Captain Charles Moore: Meet the Man Who Discovered the Great Pacific Garbage Patch

by Community Contributor • January 1, 2026 • Comments Off

Meet the oceanographer who discovered the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.

Join CEC and Santa Barbara Channelkeeper for a documentary screening and intimate Q&A

with Captain Charles Moore.

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 the Community Environmental Council (CEC) and Santa Barbara Channelkeeper for an evening with Capt. Moore, beginning with a 2019 documentary by the Korean Broadcasting System exposing the alarming reality of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch and concluding with a Q&A.

Devastated by the scale of plastic pollution he witnessed, Capt. Moore founded the Algalita Marine Research and Education non-profit and Moore Institute for Plastic Pollution Research, bringing international attention to the issue. 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. This research is widely cited in media and science publications worldwide.

Don’t miss this unique chance to hear from a leading voice in the fight against plastic pollution, deepen your understanding, and get your questions answered by an expert on the frontlines.

RSVP

Action Alert: Speak Up for Environmental Justice

On Tuesday, February 10, the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors will consider the Draft Environmental Justice Element. This is a critical opportunity to urge County leaders to strengthen the plan by expanding community engagement and adopting concrete, enforceable policies that reduce pollution, improve air quality, increase access to healthy food and public facilities, and protect community health.

Ways to Take Action:

Speak up at the hearing on Tuesday, February 10 at 9 a.m. (Spanish translation and interpretation provided)
1. In person at the Betteravia Government Center, 511 East Lakeside Parkway, Santa Maria.
2. Remotely via Zoom; registration link available once agenda is published.
Submit written comment or a video-recorded message
1. Email to sbcob@countyofsb.org by Monday, February 9 at 5 p.m.

Learn more and get talking points from our partner the Environmental Defense Center.

Other Opportunities

Non-profit Office Space Available

Are you a non-profit looking for a downtown Santa Barbara office space? Located at 1219 State Street, this ground-floor office in the Community Environmental Council’s Environmental Hub is a vibrant, inspiring space for work and collaboration.

Work alongside CEC, White Buffalo Land Trust, Human Rights Watch, and other local organizations in this exciting location. Non-profit tenant required. Competitive rates. See more photos of the space.

To learn more or schedule a tour, contact: Kathi King, kking@cecmail.org

Become a Resilience Hub and Help Your Community Prepare for Disasters

The California Central Coast faces growing challenges from extreme heat, wildfire smoke, flooding, and poor air quality. Community resilience hubs — trusted local spaces like schools, libraries, community centers, and churches — can provide aid and resources before, during, and after these events. CEC can help activate your site to:

Provide clean air during smoke events
Act as cooling locations during extreme heat
Distribute food
Serve as an emergency shelter or hub for emergency services
Facilitate disaster preparedness training and neighborhood organizing
Host off-grid charging during power outages or shutdowns

Learn more about Community Resilience Hubs, take our short survey, and use our toolkit to get started today.

Other Events

Climate Fridays Santa Barbara

Friday, February 6, 2026

4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.

CEC Environmental Hub

1219 State St., Santa Barbara

Join CEC, the Society of Fearless Grandmothers Santa Barbara, and the Santa Barbara Sierra Club on February 6 to learn about local clean energy initiatives from 3CE’s Director of Legislative and External Affairs Das Williams. Local organizations will also have resources available for participants to learn about ways they can switch to renewables and other local actions they can be a part of to advance the local clean energy movement. This event is a part of Climate Fridays Santa Barbara — monthly gatherings that create space for activists, students, and community members to learn about regional climate change issues, take collective action, and collaborate to protect our planet. Learn more and register.

“Stand By, Mother” Film Screening

Tuesday, February 10, 2026, 12:00 p.m. and

Friday, February 13, 2026, 9:00 p.m.

SBIFF Film Center, Auditorium 4

916 State St, Santa Barbara

“Stand By, Mother,” a magical, music-filled eco-fable for kids, by kids, will debut at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival (SBIFF). The story begins when a mysterious book comes alive in the hands of a curious boy named Felix, who then embarks on an imaginative journey, without ever leaving his garage. Through dance, song, and aerial performance, he discovers the wonders of planet Earth and the dangers it faces. Based on a stage play and filmed in an intimate theatrical setting, “Stand By, Mother” features non-professional child actors, bringing authenticity, playfulness, and heart to its urgent message. Blending theatre, cinema, education, and enchantment, the film brings the climate crisis to life in an inspiring and unforgettable way. Learn moreand view the trailer.

High-Voltage EV Safety Training for Central Coast Fleets

Wednesday, February 11, 2026

8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

UC Santa Barbara Transportation Services Facility

6789 Navigator Way, Goleta

The Central Coast Clean Cities Coalition (C5) is offering a one-day High-Voltage Electric Vehicle Safety Training for fleet technicians serving the Central Coast tri-county region (Ventura, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo). Designed for technicians working on light, medium, and heavy-duty EVs, the training covers critical safety topics including high-voltage hazards, required PPE, safe-down procedures, and proper use of diagnostic tools. The session will be led by Willie Castro, automotive instructor at Cerritos College and field service engineer for General Motors, with more than 37 years of industry experience. This in-person training, hosted at UC Santa Barbara, is limited to 20 fleet technicians. Lunch is provided, and registration is first-come, first-served. Learn more and register.

CEC’s Youth Climate Workshop

Saturday, March 7, 2026

1:00 – 4:00 p.m.

CEC’s Environmental Hub

1219 State St., Santa Barbara

Students in grades six through 12 who are ready to take meaningful climate action are invited to a free, hands-on workshop at CEC’s Environmental Hub. Join CEC and Santa Barbara High School’s Environmental Advocacy Club to learn how you can help advance the proposed oil and gas production phase-out in Santa Barbara County. Sierra Club Santa Barbara–Ventura Chapter Chair and CEC Climate Stewards alum Maureen Ellenberger will share the latest updates on the proposed phase-out and practical ways students can get involved. Participants will also take part in an interactive Climate Solutions Mapping activity to explore climate solutions, identify opportunities for impact, and collaborate with peers on strategies to strengthen climate resilience in their community. Along with free snacks and community service hours, students will leave with new connections, practical tools, and clear pathways to engage in the climate movement. Learn more and register.

Santa Barbara Earth Day Festival

Saturday – Sunday, April 25 – 26, 2026

Alameda Park

1400 Santa Barbara St., Santa Barbara

Now in its 56th year, the Santa Barbara Earth Day Festival is among the longest-running Earth Day celebrations in the nation and one of the largest on the West Coast.

The event draws more than 30,000 attendees and 150+ eco-friendly exhibitors for a vibrant weekend jam packed with live music and speakers, CEC’s Environmental Hero Award ceremony, a robust Green Car Show, a plant-forward food court and beer garden, and family-friendly programming. Presented by the Community Environmental Council and CarpEvents. Learn more.

Register to exhibit.

Sign up to volunteer.

Become a sponsor.

Support Critical Work Like This

Recognized as a 2020 California Nonprofit of the Year and a City of Santa Barbara Climate Hero, CEC is led by CEO Sigrid Wright, 2022 Congressional Woman of the Year. See our most recent impact report to learn how we are serving California’s Central Coast by advancing rapid and equitable solutions to the climate crisis.