Community & Climate: The Problem with Plastic with Susan Keefe

What if we said that the line between societal advancement and environmental degradation is as thin as a layer of plastic wrap? Once a marvel of modern science, plastic has become so inextricably woven into our lives that imagining a world without can seem impossible. Over the last 75 years, plastic has cradled our planet in a synthetic embrace. Join us for a conversation with Susan Keefe, Beyond Plastics' Southern California Director, on the new book, The Problem with Plastic. We'll discuss the paradox of this material, first celebrated for its innovations and now recognized for its devastating environmental and public health impacts; further highlighting the pervasive presence of microplastics in the environment and the human body, challenging the belief that recycling can solve the crisis. Susan Keefe is a former high-tech leader at Oracle who has become a compelling voice in the national fight against plastic pollution. After a 30-year career in technology, Susan made a bold and deeply personal pivot into environmental advocacy, partially driven by the chemical contamination that devastated her hometown of Toms River, New Jersey. Today, she is the founder of Eco Forward, a CA certified Green Business, and also serves as the Southern California Director for Beyond Plastics. Originally presented live with the Sunnyvale Public Library on Tuesday, July 6, 2026.