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There is little time to banter the toxicity of these chemicals. The current global warming crisis
has made proactive stategies necessary. We are in this crisis due to the stonewalling of
climate deniers and our children will pay the consequences of our inaction. Vuckovic et a/. in
the current issue (May 6, 2022) of Science has shown that oxybenzone based sunscreen
chemicals increases the sensitivity of corals to damage from bleaching. The same analysis
should be applied to these other chemicals before we allow them to be used extensively on our
valuable coral habitats.
"In the face of a changing ocean, even perceived small actions may have compounding effects
within compromised ecosystems. Because ecotourism is more popular than ever, efforts should
be made to minimize the inadvertent contribution of sunscreen derived toxic chemicals to the
decline of reef health." - Colleen M. Hansel, Woodshole Scientist, Science 2022.
Personnally, I have preceived the recovery of our corals from our bleaching event in 2015. 1
fear that if we have another bleaching event our coral reefs will not recover. Once this unique
ecosystem is lost it cannot return. Not only will our ecotourism will be lost, but also the reef that
protects us against the worse of the global warming effects.
We are not advocating the removal of all sunscreens. Zinc oxide, Titanium dioxide and SPF
clothing are as effective in protecting our bodies from UV radiation. Even when you use
chemical sunscreens on rooftops or at the playground, everything gets washed into our valuable
shoreline eventually. Please consider this small step towards a more sustainable future. Our
Keiki will thank us.
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