National Geographic’s Photos Of The Harsh Reality Of Plastic Pollution Break Hearts

National Geographic hopes its 'Planet or Plastic?' campaign will spark an awareness in consumers to think about the trash they produce and to reduce the plastic they…

A lot of us are aware that plastic contributes to most of the earth’s pollution.

JORDI CHIAS / NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC
These powerful photos however show that even if we think we know how bad the problem is, we really have no clue about the big picture.

RANDY OLSON / NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC
The heartbreaking images show how much damage our 9 million tons of plastic each year can do to the environment.

JOHN CANCALOSI / NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC
National Geographic’s campaign aims to change the ways we as consumers use plastic.

JAYED HASEN / NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC
The magazine emphasizes that every effort, no matter how small, is a start.

SHAWN MILLER / NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC
National Geographic is even leading by example and have started packing magazines in recyclable paper instead of the usual single-use plastic.

JUSTIN HOFMAN / NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC
They’ve identified that the most problematic plastic products are plastic bags, bottles, and straws.

RANDY OLSON / NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC
They are urging consumers to take a pledge to dramatically reduce their use of plastic by making simple conscious choices.

BRIAN LEHMANN / NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC
“For 130 years, National Geographic has documented the stories of our planet, providing audiences around the world with a window into the earth’s breathtaking beauty as well as to the threats it faces.”

OHN JOHNSON / NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC
“Each and every day, our explorers, researchers and photographers in the field witness firsthand the devastating impact of single-use plastic on our oceans, and the situation is becoming increasingly dire.”

RANDY OLSON / NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC
“Through the ‘Planet or Plastic?’ initiative, we will share the stories of this growing crisis, work to address it through the latest science and research, and educate audiences around the world about how to eliminate single-use plastics and prevent them from making their way into our oceans.”