National Geographic's 'Plastic or Planet?'

National Geographic recently announced the Plastic or Planet? pledge, their multiyear initiative to raise awareness about the global plastic trash crisis. 

With 9 million tonnes of plastic waste reaching our oceans every year, it’s a problem that affects, and is caused by, all of us. The pledge is designed as a way to highlight the effects of single-use plastic and inspire all of us to make a small effort for a big change. National Geographic’s goal is simple: To help prevent 1 billion plastic items reaching our oceans by 2020.

To launch the initiative, the brand relinquished its social media for three days to ambassadors Randy Olsen (photographer), Zooey Deschanel (musician and actor) and Kathryn Kellogg (writer and public speaker). 

Since announcing the pledge more than 19 million plastic items including straws, bottles and plastic bags have been reduced.

Interested in taking the pledge? Here’s how:

1. Visit the Plastic or Pledge? website

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/plasticpledge/

2. Pick your plastics

Choose the plastic that you want to help reduce. Bottles, bags, utensils, straws, cups and lids are all part of the pledge. The more you choose the greater the impact you’ll have!

3. Choose how many items to reduce

The pledge is based on reducing your weekly use of plastic. Choose how many of each items you can commit to cutting. For example, by choosing to cut 7 cups a day, you’re saving 365 cups from entering the ocean every year.

It’s that simple. Every pledge counts so spread the word and challenge your friends to take it too. What change will you make?