Dianna Cohen’s journey illustrates how artistic thinking can serve as a powerful catalyst for environmental change. Raised in the intellectual and socially conscious environment of Los Angeles, she evolved from a visual artist into a leader of an international movement dedicated to ending plastic pollution. By bridging the worlds of culture, science, business, and grassroots activism, Cohen has become a defining voice in modern environmental discourse. Read more at los-angeles.name.
Early Life and Education
Born into a Jewish family in Los Angeles, Cohen’s upbringing was rooted in social responsibility. Her father worked in the film industry, while her mother led the Los Angeles Free Clinic—a landmark institution providing healthcare to the city’s most vulnerable populations. This upbringing instilled in Cohen a deep understanding of the link between human health and the environment. She attended the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where she initially studied biology before switching her major to art. This unique combination of scientific inquiry and artistic vision would later prove instrumental in shaping her environmental philosophy.
After graduating, Cohen launched her career as a collage artist, initially working with paper bags to explore themes of mass consumption. In 1994, she held her first solo exhibition featuring these works. Eventually, she transitioned to using plastic bags as her primary medium. For eight years, she crafted art from plastic, exploring its convenience and the illusion of its durability. However, it was during this process that she witnessed the material’s degradation, marking a turning point in her perspective. In interviews, Cohen recalled that she initially saw the breaking down of plastic as a “natural” end. Further research revealed a darker reality: plastic never truly disappears; it merely fragments into microplastics that persist in ecosystems for decades. This discovery coincided with her learning about the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. In 2009, Cohen and her sister co-founded the Plastic Pollution Coalition (PPC), an organization dedicated to systemic change, reducing single-use plastics, and raising awareness about their impact on human health and the planet.
The Plastic Pollution Coalition
Under Cohen’s leadership, the Plastic Pollution Coalition has grown into one of the most influential organizations fighting plastic waste. A key strategy of the PPC involves targeting major cultural events, such as music festivals and concerts. Through their campaigns, many high-profile U.S. events have successfully phased out single-use plastic containers for water and beer. This approach does more than just reduce waste; it demonstrates that sustainable solutions are both practical and economically viable on a large scale.
The PPC’s work has also left a mark on policy, particularly in California. The organization has been a driving force behind legislative efforts to ban single-use plastic bags, straws, and excessive packaging. Cohen is a frequent expert speaker at environmental forums, universities, and legislative hearings, where she highlights the urgent threat microplastics pose to marine life and human health.
Awards and Recognition
Cohen’s dedication has earned her numerous prestigious honors. In 2016, she received the inaugural Snow Angel Award from the Sun Valley Film Festival for her work at the intersection of art and activism. In 2017, she was honored with the Global Green Award for her contributions to a sustainable future. By 2019, the Surf Industry Manufacturers Association (SIMA) named her Environmentalist of the Year, recognizing her influence in promoting environmental responsibility within ocean-based industries.
Currently residing in Los Angeles, Cohen and her partner co-produced the 2020 documentary The Story of Plastic, which garnered international acclaim for its deep dive into the global plastic crisis and the corporate interests behind it. An avid surfer since 1996, Cohen’s personal connection to the ocean fuels her drive to protect marine ecosystems from the scourge of plastic waste.
Dianna Cohen serves as a powerful example of how art, science, and advocacy can unite to create a global movement. From her early days as a collage artist to leading a worldwide coalition, her career shows that environmental responsibility begins with awareness and culminates in decisive action. Her work continues to reshape policy, business, and culture, paving the way for a more sustainable relationship between humanity and the natural world.