Here at Tangaroa Blue Foundation, we know the incredible value of citizen science in addressing plastic pollution. Our new scientific study published in collaboration with researchers from the University of New South Wales demonstrates how data collected by everyday people can play a crucial role in monitoring plastic debris on beaches and supporting national reporting on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
This study highlights the powerful role of citizen science in SDG reporting. By using the AMDI Database, we provided the first national and sub-national estimates of plastic debris density in Australia (aligned with SDG Indicator 14.1.1b). Findings show significant regional variations, offering key insights for targeted management.
Read the summary below or view the full paper.
The Global Plastic Problem
Plastic pollution in our oceans has reached alarming levels, threatening marine ecosystems, human well-being, and economic development. As plastic production continues to increase exponentially, coupled with inadequate disposal methods, our oceans are facing a crisis of unprecedented scale. The need for effective monitoring and reporting mechanisms is crucial.
The Sustainable Development Goals: The United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development includes 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) aimed at creating a more sustainable, equitable world. Among these, SDG 14 focuses on the conservation and sustainable use of the oceans, seas and marine resources. Target 14.1 aims to “prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds by 2025.”
How do we measure progress towards this goal? This is where SDG Indicator 14.1.1b comes in, which focuses on plastic debris density in marine environments.
The Power of Citizen Science
While governments and academic institutions conduct some monitoring of plastic pollution, their efforts often lack the scale or frequency needed for comprehensive reporting. This is where citizen science initiatives are making a significant impact.
This study uses the Australian Marine Debris Initiative (AMDI) Database, which contains data submitted by over 1,400 organisations across Australia. The AMDI was used to provide initial estimates of plastic debris density both nationally and across different Natural Resource Management areas (NRMs).
The Australian Context
In this study, we used a rigorous methodology to ensure that data from the AMDI Database could be effectively used for SDG 14.1.1b reporting across continental Australia, including Tasmania. The approach involved comprehensive data collection from over 1,400 contributing organisations, strict quality control to filter out erroneous data entries, and alignment with SDG requirements by calculating plastic debris density. The study also considered a ‘remoteness’ factor using the Accessibility and Remoteness Index of Australia (ARIA+) and utilised linear mixed models to analyse the relationship between plastic debris indicators and the frequency of clean-up events, providing a robust framework for national and sub-national reporting.
Key Findings: Unveiling Australia's Plastic Pollution Landscape
After rigorous data filtering and analysis, we found:
- National Overview: The average plastic debris density across Australia ranged between 0.155 and 0.279 items per square metre between 2014 and 2019.
- Regional Variations: Significant differences were observed across regions. For example, Cape York NRM in Far North Queensland recorded a peak of 3.74 items per square meter in 2018, a staggering 18 times the national average for that year.
- Remoteness Factor: ‘Remote’ and ‘Major Cities’ areas generally showed higher than average plastic debris density, while ‘Inner Regional’ areas had the lowest density.
Implications and Future Directions
The findings of this study have significant implications for plastic pollution monitoring and management in Australia and beyond:
- Comparing Plastic Density Estimates: Australia’s plastic debris density is lower than other Asia-Pacific countries but higher than previous national estimates. The study highlights the challenges in comparing SDG Indicator 14.1.1b between countries.
- Extending the SDG Indicator for Management: Sub-national estimates of plastic debris density can be useful in understanding their drivers and for evaluating the effectiveness of management and policies.
- Policy Relevance and Future Applications: The study provides a baseline for monitoring the effectiveness of Australia’s National and State Plastic Plans and could be used to identify pollution hotspots, evaluate specific policies, and inform risk assessments.
- The Power of Citizen Science: This study demonstrates how citizen science initiatives like the AMDI can provide valuable data for official reporting and policy-making.
- Future Directions: There’s a need for further guidance on achieving “representative” sampling strategies and for long-term, large-scale studies to understand trends in plastic pollution over time and across regions.
This study highlights the powerful role of citizen science in SDG reporting
By using the AMDI Database, we provided the first national and sub-national estimates of plastic debris density in Australia, aligned with SDG Indicator 14.1.1b.
The findings reveal significant regional variations, offering key insights for targeted management and monitoring the effectiveness of plastic reduction policies. As plastic pollution remains a global challenge, this collaboration between citizen scientists and government agencies opens new doors for data-driven policy-making.
Ultimately, this study advances our understanding of plastic pollution in Australia and underscores the vital role of citizen engagement in shaping a more sustainable future.