National Geographic Abu Dhabi launches Planet or Plastic? Global Campaign in MENA

An Initiative to reduce single-use plastics and their impact on the Oceans

-       Planet or Plastic? Takes Comprehensive Approach to Tackling Major Environmental Crisis, Encompassing Storytelling, Consumer Education & Engagement, Scientific Research and Innovative Partnerships

-       National Geographic Asks People to Take Simple Steps to Reduce Single-Use Plastic across MENA

Abu Dhabi, UAE - As part of its ongoing commitment to addressing pressing environmental issues such as the growing amount of single-use plastic in the world’s oceans, National Geographic Abu Dhabi (NGAD) announced the launch of its global ‘Planet or Plastic?’ initiative in the Middle East, aiming to raise awareness of this challenge and reduce the amount of single-use plastic that enters in the world’s oceans.

As a global brand with a rich history of scientific discovery and exploration, National Geographic is uniquely positioned to tackle this crisis in a way that only National Geographic can — through storytelling and science. The Planet or Plastic? initiative will leverage the power of National Geographic’s media portfolio around the world and the expertise of National Geographic’s explorers and scientists who are witnessing firsthand the devastating impacts of this crisis. This organization-wide effort will include a major research and scientific initiative; a consumer education and engagement campaign; updated internal corporate sustainability commitments; and innovative partnerships with like-minded corporations and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) from all over the world.

Launched on World Environment Day, this campaign is designed to benefit the thousands to potentially millions of marine animals that become entangled in, suffocated by, or ingest plastic each year around the region and the globe, while contributing to the overall health of the planet’s marine ecosystems and all who rely upon them. Each year nine (9) million tons of plastic waste ends up in the ocean. Some estimates suggest this plastic could remain in marine environments for 450 years or longer, and the problem is only getting worse.

Addressing a challenge of this magnitude requires an unprecedented and comprehensive approach. As a global brand with a 130-year rich history of exploration, science and far-reaching media platforms, National Geographic is committed to raising awareness and encouraging action to protect the planet and the environment. This includes the provision of a platform to local conservationists around the region to voice their ideas and initiatives in an effort to reduce and encourage the habit of recycling amongst youth in specific and the community as a whole.

National Geographic Abu Dhabi will also be sharing the results of major organization-wide research and scientific initiative for consumer education and partnering with like-minded corporations, public and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) from across the region to share the stories of this growing crisis and educate and engage audiences on how to eliminate single-use plastics to protect the planet and the oceans.

National Geographic Abu Dhabi kicked off its innovative ‘Planet or Plastic?’ partnerships to raise awareness about this crisis through teaming up with Emirates Environment Group (EEG) at the EEG World Environment Day Celebrations. National Geographic encouraged and obtained the pledge of over 200 students, educators and organizations present to reduce their plastic use and that of their communities.

Through its media platforms, National Geographic Abu Dhabi will also be asking its audiences around the region to take the Planet or Plastic? Pledge, a commitment to reduce their use of single-use plastic. By taking the pledge, individuals become part of a global community working together to stem the tide of single-use plastic polluting the ocean and will continue to receive information and tips to help them in their efforts.

The pledge marks the beginning of a comprehensive consumer awareness and engagement campaign that National Geographic Abu Dhabi will execute across its multiple platforms in the months and years to come. Elements of this campaign will range from inspiring and informative content, ongoing consumer engagement activities, events and more. Through its English and Arabic-language programming available on broadcast, YouTube and social channels, National Geographic Abu Dhabi will be making science and factual-based content available to viewers and to educational institutions throughout the MENA region.

National Geographic will provide science-based, actionable information to help local and national governments, NGOs, businesses and the public more effectively invest in and implement innovative solutions. New initiatives and partnerships for consumer education and community engagement throughout the region will be announced over the coming period.

For more on the Planet or Plastic please visit: https://on.natgeo.com/2IxPpHQ

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About National Geographic Abu Dhabi

Launched in July 2009, the free-to-air National Geographic Abu Dhabi invites viewers in the Middle East to re-think the way they see television - and the world - through smart, innovative programming in the Arabic language. Brought to the region by the Abu Dhabi Media (ADM) and National Geographic Channels International (NGCI), the channel is dedicated to understanding and protecting the world, with its worldwide reputation of producing credible and authentic content that fits different viewers’ interests.

For more information please contact:

Samar Abdulhadi

Samar@inspirat.us

+971504546313

© Press Release 2018