FAQs & Help

What is Global Alert?

Global Alert is an innovative online tool that will increase interaction and connectivity to the issues of plastic in our waters by allowing users to report, rate and map plastic pollution levels in their watershed and coastlines. By having data of trash hot-spot locations, stakeholders around the world will be able to will broaden awareness, aggregate information flow, and spur solutions to reduce plastic pollution in our waters. Global Alert accomplishes this by enabling community participation and active stewardship, bringing knowledge and data to the solutions needed for the long term prevention of debris creation and accumulation.

Why do we need a Global Alert?

Some estimates by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) suggest that municipal solid waste may double in size by 2025. As populations grow, and consumption increases, the world’s waste management and recycling infrastructure has not been able to keep up with the increase in waste, leading to increased impacts on our environment and our waters. Global Alert is an international tool to help tackle the problem of plastic waste in our environment, and is something that all of us can use within our own local conditions, in order to be part of the solution. The sum of all the parts will help to bring broad-based improvements in trash impacts on a global scale. Global Alert will shape the way that communities play an integral role in bettering their environments; inspiring cooperation, collaboration and solutions. Together, by using Global Alert, we can leave a legacy of healthy oceans, rivers and engaged communities.

1. Why can't I see certain windows?
     1. A: Make sure you have popups enabled on your browser. Don’t worry, we won’t spam you, we just want earth-wide trash monitoring action!

2. What kind of browser works best?
     1. A: Global Alert looks best in Google Chrome or Firefox

3. What is the difference between a public and registered user?
     1. A: Public users can post trash sites and view sites others have posted, without logging in. They can also look at mitigation sites, and steward areas which other stakeholders have created. Registered login users can add trash sites, as well as add and modify mitigation sites and steward regions. They are also able to create analyses and connect with community groups and individuals who report trash sites in their regions.

4. Do I have to register?
     1. A: No you don't have to. But it would help us if you do. Registering as a full user improves data, makes contributing to Global Alert easy, and helps you stay connected with fellow citizens who care about these issues.

5. What are those three panels for?
     1. A: Global Alert has three main information panes optimized for performance. The LEFT pane is for interaction with spatial and data layers, such as finding out where the trash points are, or the steward regions, how much trash is in a river, or what type of trash control measures. The CENTER pane is for interactions with the map. This is just like Google Earth or any other map. The RIGHT pane lets you view reports and quickly search for a location on the map.

6. How do I change the size of the panes?
     1. A: Pane widths can be adjusted by placing the cursor on the border between two panes. When all panes are maximized, some information may be wrapped in the adjacent pane or hidden from view. The yellow arrows on the screen shot below show the locations of buttons and scroll bars that allow the user to maximize, minimize, or scroll though information in each pane. (include picture with arrows for further explanation.

7. What are all those cool looking icons on the top of the map?
Tool bar. Starting on the left, the tool bar icons and their functions are:
a. Magnifying glass: Opens the query box to refine data displayed for selected layer
b. Two arrows: Reset or clear the selected layers from the map
c. Shaded polygon: draws point, polyline or polygon around area of interest and selects data features within.
d. Paper and magnifying glass: performs analysis on selected polygon
e. Recycling basket: Users can add a site manually
f. Hand: Clears selected area for analysis
g. Blue globe: exports data features as KMZ file
h. Impacted Area Line: Allows user to draw line along impacted area and add this as an impacted region.
i. Impacted Area Poly: Allows user to draw line around impacted area and add this as an impacted region.
j. Draw NGO area: Allows user to draw the geographical area of interest for a Stewardship Organization.

8. How do I add a new site?
Click the add site icon. Located.... Then fill in the information to the best of your ability. At the minimum we want to know 1) who you are 2) what kind of trash you saw 3) where it was 4) and roughly how much. Anything else you can add which would help people find the location and understand what you saw would be helpful. But don’t just say ' on the coral on the reef ', as that does not help us locate things too well in a big area! :)

Contact Us: Info@GlobalAlert.org

Tip: Can't find your answer? Scroll down to the end to Contact Us

What You Can Do

Hello! Welcome to Global Alert. It's hard to know where all plastic trash comes from or how much there is. By using Global Alert, you can play a pivotal role for communities to identify where they need to take action to prevent plastic from polluting our waters.
Our Global Alert Map displays all sorts of Trash Sites found in waterways and along the coasts. Take a look around, find places you know and care about, and if you have seen any Trash Sites, please do the following:
	SEE Take a photograph and note any floating, submerged or waterside trash.
	SHARE Upload it to our Global Alert Trash Map and share with friends.
	SOLVE On submission of the site, the Community Steward will be alerted to it for further action.

How? Click here for the FAQs & Help

Terms of Use

Through your use of this Global Alert (GA) platform, you agree to the following terms and conditions (the "agreement") governing your use of GA's online service, including offline components (collectively, the "Service"). This agreement is between you and Ocean Recovery Alliance (ORA).

LIMITED RIGHTS AND RESTRICTIONS

Your rights are limited to the use of the data and functionality provided by the GA Service. You shall not (i) license, sublicense, sell, resell, transfer, assign, distribute or otherwise commercially exploit or make available to any third party the Service or the Content in any way; (ii) modify or make derivative works based upon the Service or the Content; (iii) create Internet "links" to the Service or "frame" or "mirror" any Content on any other server or wireless or Internet-based device; or (iv) reverse engineer or access the Service in order to (a) build a competitive product or service, (b) build a product using similar ideas, features, functions or graphics of the Service, or (c) copy any ideas, features, functions or graphics of the Service. User licenses cannot be shared or used by more than one individual User but may be reassigned from time to time to new Users who are replacing former Users. You may use the Service only for your internal business purposes and shall not: (i) send spam or otherwise duplicative or unsolicited messages in violation of applicable laws; (ii) send or store infringing, obscene, threatening, libelous, or otherwise unlawful or tortious material, including material harmful to children or violative of third party privacy rights; (iii) send or store material containing software viruses, worms, or other harmful computer code, files, scripts, agents or programs; (iv) interfere with or disrupt the integrity or performance of the Service or the data contained therein; or (v) attempt to gain unauthorized access to the Service or its related systems or networks.

DATA

ORA, nor any of its software licensors involved in delivering the GA service, shall be responsible for the accuracy, timeliness, quality, integrity, and appropriateness of the data submitted by you and other users.

DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTIES

ORA and its licensors make no representation, warranty, or guaranty as to the reliability, timeliness, quality, suitability, truth, availability, accuracy or completeness of the service or any content. ORA and its licensors do not represent or warrant that (a) the use of the service will be secure, timely, uninterrupted or error-free or operate in combination with any other hardware, software, system or data, (b) the service will meet your requirements or expectations, (c) any stored data will be accurate or reliable, (d) the quality of any products, services, information, or other material purchased or obtained by you through the service will meet your requirements or expectations, (e) errors or defects will be corrected, or (f) the service or the server(s) that make the service available are free of viruses or other harmful components. The service and all content are provided to you strictly on an "as is" basis. All conditions, representations and warranties, whether express, implied, statutory or otherwise, including, without limitation, any implied warranty of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, or non-infringement of third party rights, are hereby disclaimed to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law by ORA and its licensors.

INDEMNIFICATION

You agree to indemnify and hold ORA its licensors and each such party's parent organizations, subsidiaries, affiliates, officers, directors, employees, attorneys and agents harmless from and against any and all claims, costs, damages, losses, liabilities and expenses (including attorneys' fees and costs) arising out of or in connection with your use of the GA Portal.

COSTS

You are responsible for all costs incurred by you for your use of the service. These include but are not limited to computers, mobile devices, landline or wireless internet services of any type, and bandwidth limits associated with your internet or wireless data plan.

GENERAL

This Agreement shall be governed by California law and controlling United States federal law, without regard to the choice or conflicts of law provisions of any jurisdiction, and any disputes, actions, claims or causes of action arising out of or in connection with this Agreement or the Service shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located in San Francisco, California. If any provision of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid or unenforceable, then such provision(s) shall be construed, as nearly as possible, to reflect the intentions of the invalid or unenforceable provision(s), with all other provisions remaining in full force and effect. No joint venture, partnership, employment, or agency relationship exists between you and ORA as a result of this agreement or use of the Service. The failure of ORA to enforce any right or provision in this Agreement shall not constitute a waiver of such right or provision unless acknowledged and agreed to by ORA in writing. This Agreement comprises the entire agreement between you and ORA and supersedes all prior or contemporaneous negotiations, discussions or agreements, whether written or oral, between the parties regarding the subject matter contained herein.

Privacy

This Service is in the public interest. GA may publish any data and photographs that you submit to this portal. Your email and contact information may be made available to organizations responsible for tracking and mitigating trash is your area of interest. These organizations and GA may contact you for more information on the data you submitted and/or your interest in participating in trash tracking and mitigation programs. We will never sell or use your emails for third-party marketing purposes.

To Subscribe to Global Alert

Please send us an email at info@globalalert.org .if you want to create or manage a steward region.If you are responsible for a trash monitoring or mitigation program in your watershed, along a river, or a coastal area, the Global Alert platform can help you to better manage these programs, with the participation of citizens and other stakeholders.As a subscriber, you will have access to special tools for defining your stewardship region(s), track trash sites, locate mitigation sites, assess cumulative impacts,and become part of a global community working proactively to the quality of inland waters and the ocean. If you have special needs in addition to the tools provided,e.g., for TMDLs or other regulatory compliance, the Global Alert platform can also be customized to your specific needs.