Scientists in the UK are using satellites to spot floating plastic pollution on our seas and coastal areas. It's hoped the data, collected from around 700 kilometers above the Earth's surface, could help researchers answer questions about where plastic pollution comes from and where it congregates.

From bags to bottles, some 13 million tons of plastic flows into our oceans every year, according to a 2018 United Nations report. It's claimed that if this present trend continues, our oceans could contain more plastic than fish by 2050. Marine species ingest or become entangled by plastic debris, sometimes causing injury or even death. The UN says 100,000 marine animals die each year due to plastic pollution related causes.