Oceans and aquatic wildlife are under threat from the plastic littering beaches and accumulating in oceans. Each year thousands of marine animals and birds die from ingesting plastic or getting entangled in it. By 2050 plastic is expected to outweigh all the fish in the sea if it continues to amass at its current rate.

What can we as concerned citizens do to stop this global crisis? On Thursday evening, Nov. 8, Annie Kohut Frankel, Education Coordinator with the California Coastal Commission, will talk to American Association of University Women (AAUW) Oakdale-Riverbank-Escalon Branch members and guests about this problem and what we can do to help.

Kohut Frankel received her degree in Environmental Sciences from U.C. Berkeley and has been involved in environmental education ever since. She has worked for the California Coastal Commission since 2001. The meeting, held in a member’s home, begins at 7 p.m. Those interested in attending may call (209) 847-0271 for information and directions.

The American Association of University Women (AAUW) advances equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, philanthropy and research. Since 1881, members have examined and taken positions on the fundamental issues of the day – educational, social, economic and political.

Graduates holding an associates or higher degree from an institution of the AAUW list of qualified institutions and persons holding an honorary degree are eligible for membership in AAUW. For further information about AAUW, log on to www.aauw.org. Information about AAUW, ORE is at http://ore-ca.aauw.net or by emailing the branch at AAUW.ORE@gmail.com.