Since 1950, an estimated 18.2 trillion pounds of plastic have been produced globally. This immense volume is equivalent to manufacturing 1,714 Statues of Liberty in plastic daily for 65 years.

This staggering production highlights the urgent need to address plastic pollution. Join Oceana and pledge to #BreakFreeFromPlastic.

Take the pledge: https://bit.ly/2XGKnPQ

Cephalopods are a class of marine animals that includes octopuses, squids, cuttlefish, and chambered nautiluses.

These creatures vary greatly in size, from tiny to huge. Many are masters of disguise, adept at changing their color and skin texture to blend seamlessly with their environment.

Discover more about these impressive animals in Oceana's Marine Life Encyclopedia: https://bit.ly/2IILvhC

Mile-long drift gillnets indiscriminately trap and drown marine mammals, including endangered sperm whales. This deadly fishing gear kills more marine mammals than all other observed U.S. West Coast Fisheries combined.

Oceana is working to protect at-risk whales and other marine life from these indiscriminate nets. Join their efforts to help save these animals: https://bit.ly/2ZLMXFC

Over 3.9 million thresher sharks are caught annually for the global fin trade.

You can help protect them. Urge your representatives in Congress to pass a #FinBanNow: https://bit.ly/2FlKfin

Recycling alone cannot solve our plastics crisis. The fundamental issue is the excessive production of plastics.

Oceana urges companies to prioritize plastic-free alternatives. Join us in advocating for a significant reduction in plastic output: https://bit.ly/2WVh4O7

Discover solutions for a sustainable future from the 2019 Explorers Festival, where leading scientists and storytellers shared their insights. Watch a key discussion: Tracking Plastic Sea to Source.

National Geographic is your premier source for science, exploration, and adventure, delivering impactful stories through world-class experts.

Subscribe to our channel: NatGeoSubscribe. Find more content on our Official Site, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Visit the main National Geographic YouTube channel.

June 8 is World Oceans Day. You can make a positive impact to help save our oceans through three easy actions.

Join Oceana today to learn how you can contribute to ocean conservation every day. Discover more here: Oceana

Orcas are the most widely distributed mammals globally, second only to humans. These intelligent predators form complex social groups, cooperatively hunting diverse species across the world's oceans.

For more information, explore Oceana's Marine Life Encyclopedia: Oceana's Marine Life Encyclopedia

A study reveals that plastic smells like food to seabirds, causing them to ingest it instead of krill. This mistaken foraging poses a significant threat to marine bird populations.

Join the movement to protect our oceans. Take the pledge to #BreakFreeFromPlastic today: https://bit.ly/2IeFO9O

Olive ridley turtles are among the world's most abundant sea turtle species. Despite this, their young face extremely challenging survival odds.

Explore Oceana's Marine Life Encyclopedia to learn more about olive ridley turtles and their nesting habits: Oceana's Marine Life Encyclopedia

Blue whales, the largest animals to ever live, are increasingly vulnerable to human impact despite their immense size.

To protect blue whales and prevent further extinctions, urge Congress to defend the Endangered Species Act. Take action now: https://bit.ly/30XkGNG

A recent United Nations report indicates that one million species face extinction. However, it's not too late to reverse this trend.

Conservation efforts, like the Endangered Species Act (ESA), are vital for reducing extinction risks. Urge Congress to #StopExtinction and oppose any attacks on the ESA today: https://bit.ly/30XkGNG

President Trump's proposed FY2020 budget includes deep cuts to federal ocean programs, posing a significant threat to marine environments.

Among these reductions is the elimination of the Marine Mammal Commission, an agency crucial for protecting marine mammals and their vital habitats.

Act now: Tell your members of Congress to oppose this ocean-harming budget. Add your name here.

Despite reports that President Trump is "sidelining" his offshore drilling plan, vigilance remains essential. Until expanding offshore drilling is completely off the table, efforts to #ProtectOurCoast will continue.

On May 25, 2019, thousands demonstrated this commitment by gathering at beaches nationwide for "Hands Across the Sand," protesting dirty and dangerous offshore drilling: https://bit.ly/2KjJBVM.

Sperm whales are washing ashore dead across Italy, many found with pounds of plastic pollution in their stomachs.

This tragic situation underscores the urgent need for companies to offer plastic-free product alternatives. It's time to demand change.

Take the pledge to #BreakFreeFromPlastic: https://bit.ly/2wDiRrD

Tackling plastic waste is a critical obstacle to achieving a circular economy. At the 2019 Pacific Summit, Kosi Latu, Deputy Director of SPREP, discussed the challenges facing the Pacific region and potential solutions.

The Ellen MacArthur Foundation, a UK charity launched in 2010 by world record-breaking sailor Ellen MacArthur, is a global thought leader accelerating the transition to a circular economy.

Learn more about their work at ellenmacarthurfoundation.org, subscribe to their YouTube channel, or connect on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Medium.

Ocean plastic is a solvable issue requiring personal responsibility and practical solutions. The Seabin Project, a crowdfunded invention, exemplifies a promising reactive approach. These bins effectively collect floating plastics, oil, and micro-plastics down to 2mm in marinas.

While Seabins are effective, they are not the ultimate solution. The project's 50% for-profit, 50% not-for-profit model supports education, science, research, and community engagement, which are considered the real long-term answers. This topic was discussed at a TEDx event; learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx.

Sharks play a vital role in marine ecosystems, but they face a significant threat from the shark fin trade. Protecting these essential ocean predators is crucial for ocean health.

Do your part to help sharks. Urge your member of Congress to support a nationwide ban on shark fin trade by adding your name here: https://bit.ly/2JDbGHu #FinBanNow

Dolphins can swim immediately after birth, yet remain fully dependent on their mothers' milk for almost two years.

For more information on dolphins, visit Oceana's Marine Encyclopedia: https://bit.ly/2VnWIak

Type D orcas are highly likely to be a new species, exhibiting a distinct appearance compared to other orca types.

Can you spot the difference?