Since the 1950s, it is estimated that 8.3 billion tons of plastics have been produced. Today only 9% of that plastic is recycled, and plastic pollution has become a pervasive and global issue that affects the planet, our health, our ecosystems and animals. While the effects of plastic pollution are easily observed, the coordination of different data sources at local, national and global scales is difficult. It is necessary to create a system for accurate information and data to inform the general public and federal agencies in order to better educate, set policies, manage resources, and contribute to international agreements such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Recently, Environmental Emergency Response experts from USEPA and Ocean P3 Systems collaborated with Esri in development of a story map to better inform individuals and communities about the global ocean plastics problem and to provide options for taking action.

The story map displays the role of GIS in understanding and addressing ocean plastics pollution and demonstrates that we know enough to act NOW. Although the world lacks the scientific data to understand the full extent of the problem, we do know that plastic does not have a place in the natural environment and that we have the capabilities to correct it. Actions are needed to prevent the loss of plastics to the environment, and we need ways to measure the effectiveness of solutions.

Please use this story map to promote the actions needed to stop plastic waste loss to the environment. Action is required by individuals, demanding support from their local, state and federal representatives. The need for accountability extends from manufacturer and post-consumer use to responsible reuse/end of life.

The Opportunity Project was launched in March 2016 as a White House initiative to catalyze new technologies that use federal and local data to empower communities with information about critical resources, and is now a widely used model for collaborative problem solving through data, technology, and user centered design.