Summary:
- Satellites can now detect and identify plastic waste on beaches around the world from space, providing a new tool for monitoring and addressing the global plastic pollution crisis.
- The new technique uses high-resolution satellite imagery and machine learning algorithms to identify and map plastic waste on coastlines, even in remote areas that are difficult to access.
- This technology could help researchers and policymakers better understand the scale and distribution of plastic pollution, and inform efforts to clean up and prevent further accumulation of plastic waste in the world's oceans and on beaches.