Thousands of tonnes of sunscreen enter the ocean every year, disrupting the delicate conditions in which corals require for survival; encouraging coral bleaching and eventual death. The death of these corals then has knock on effects, threatening all species that rely on the reef for food and shelter. Not only do reefs contain high levels of biodiversity and support a variety of aquatic life, but they also supply food for humans, generate income in the tourism sector and act as an essential form of costal protection.
In the footsteps of Hawaii, the rest of the world is required to take action in order to preserve these fragile ecosystems- starting with the ban of selling sunscreens containing oybenzone and octinoxate in the hope to decrease the rates in which coral bleaching and coral death takes place.