Author speaks on 'Plastic: A Toxic Love Story' at UW-Whitewater

November 20, 2013

Author Susan Freinkel will investigate one of the most transformative inventions of the 20th century when she speaks at UW-Whitewater as part of this year's Contemporary Issues Lecture Series.

Her speech on "Plastic: A Toxic Love Story" at 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 2, in Young Auditorium is free and open to the public.

Freinkel will invite audience members to explore the world through ordinary objects such as the Frisbee, the disposable lighter and the plastic bag.

Susan Johnson, assistant dean for student success in the College of Letters and Sciences and coordinator of the lecture series, said that Freinkel will take the audience on a journey looking at eight things that most of us have used. It shows us "how ubiquitous they have become in the lives of Americans and the impact of these everyday items on the environment," Johnson said.

Freinkel is a science writer who explores the intersection of science, culture and the environment. In addition to her book on plastic, she wrote "American Chestnut: the Life, Death and Rebirth of a Perfect Tree," which won a 2008 National Outdoor Book Award.

For more information on Freinkel and the next three lectures in the 2013-14 series, see www.uww.edu/cls/about/lectures. Lectures will be presented at 7 p.m. on the following Mondays: Feb. 17, March 10 and April 21.