via Amanda Froelich, The Mind Unleashed

Every item and concept in the world is a double-edged sword. Food can either nourish someone or it can contribute to their demise. A knife could be used to open a box, or it could serve a nefarious purpose and be the tool used in a murder. Similarly, advertisements may educate and inspire, or they can be pervasive and obnoxious (which is most often the case). Fortunately for us all, the following 30+ social issue ads are the insightful, compelling kind.

Each unique advertisement employs an effective advertising strategy to capture viewers’ attention. Rather than strive to sell a product, however, the ads promote seek to promote a concept with the ultimate goal being to propel social change. As Bored Panda points out, many of the ads appeal to people’s emotions, as studies have shown the best way to inspire action is to get them to empathize with a situation, person or cause.

Many of the advertisements were funded by specific organizations with outlined causes. Others were paid for by companies that seek to “raise the bar” when it comes to consumerism. All have something in common, though, and that is the desire to inform people about prevalent issues so a better world may be created for future generations. If you think the world could use more insightful advertisements that raise awareness about global issues, please share this compilation.

Following are 40 clever social issue advertisements that will definitely make you think:

1) Torture Victims Are People Just Like You And Me

2) Stop The Violence: Don’t Drink And Drive

3) Premature Ending: “If you smoke, statistically your story will end 15% before it should.”

4) World Wide Fund For Nature: Frightening vs. More Frightening

5) Your Skin Color Shouldn’t Dictate Your Future

6) Unhate

7) Elm Grove Police Department: Slower Is Better

8) Save Paper – Save The Planet

9) Air Pollution Kills 60,000 People A Year

10) Liking Isn’t Helping. Be A Volunteer. Change A Life.

11) Bird Conservation: If You Don’t Pick It Up They Will

12) What We See When You Smoke

13) Animal Anti-Cruelty League: That’s Not A Football

14) Bangalore Traffic Police: Don’t Talk While Driving

15) Child Soldiers: It’s Not Happening Here, But It’s Happening Now

16) Censorship Tells The Wrong Story

17) Distracted Driving: Think Of Both Sides

18) Every 60 Seconds a Species Dies Out. Each Minute Counts

19) Innocence In Danger: Where’s The Pedophile?

20) Sexual Predators Can Hide In Your Child’s Smartphone

21) Smoking Causes Premature Aging

22) You’re Not A Sketch. Say No To Anorexia

23) Neglected Children Are Made To Feel Invisible. Stop Child Abuse Now

24) Global Action In The Interest of Animals: Plastic Bags Kill

25) What Goes Around Comes Around. Keep The Sea Clean

26) Tailgating Isn’t Worth It. Give Trucks Room

27) Sea Shepherd Conservation Society: When You See A Tuna, Think Panda

28) Sleepiness Is Stronger Than You. Don’t Drive Sleepy

29) See how easy feeding the hungry can be?

30) Causing Cancer By Yourself

31) Deforestation And The Air We Breathe: Before It’s Too Late

32) For The Homeless, Every Day Is A Struggle

33) The Prevention Beer Mug: Please Don’t Lose Control Over Your Drinking

34) One Child Is Holding Something That’s Been Banned In America To Protect Them. Guess Which One?

35) Breast Cancer Awareness Bra

36) What Goes Around Comes Around: Stop The Iraq War

37) UN Women: Auto-Complete Shows Perceptions Of Women

38) Don’t Buy Exotic Animal Souvenirs

39) Animal Abuse And Shelters: Same Pet, Different Owner

40) Buckle up. Stay alive