There’s sound evidence that chemicals from sunblock disrupt the symbiotic relationship between the coral and algae.
Here’s why it matters:
Coral is an animal that makes a hard exoskeleton, a perfect place for algae to chill. The algae uses the sun to make food and oxygen to share with the coral. Hence a symbiotic relationship. The oceanic version of Netflix and chill.
The problem with sunscreen is it prevents the baby corals from creating that symbiotic relationship with the algae.
Older corals are dying because of climate change and new corals are not growing because of the sunscreen.
Without coral there would have been some crucial scenes missing from Finding Nemo.
Coral is perhaps the most epic organism on the planet.
It’s not an exaggeration to say losing our coral would be catastrophic.
Coral reefs cover less than 0.1% of the ocean floor.
Yet they host 25% of all species of fish, along with many marine mammals and reptiles.
Without coral, everything would change.
Fortunately, Hawaii stepped up to the plate last year and became the first state to ban certain sunscreens.
Many other states are following suit and now people (like you!) are checking their sunscreen ingredients and making more environmentally friendly choices.
Best of all, younger and more eco-minded companies are rapidly popping up to fill the demand for better and safer products.
Here’s our favorite one.
So don’t worry yourself, you’ll get your sunblock dude.
Know a coral or sunscreen enthusiast? Share this with them!