After studies showed that certain chemicals in commonly used sunscreens were destroying coral reefs, Hawaiian lawmakers took action.
They voted to ban any and all sunscreen containing oxybenzone and octinoxate, the two chemicals wreaking havoc on the health of the world's reefs. Hawaii is an island paradise that attracts millions of tourists a year. Many of them go for the chance to scuba and snorkel in their pristine waters and view the spectacular coral that lies just below the surface. Politicians knew that coral was a big tourist draw, and they wanted to move fast to protect it.
On the mainland, another state is equally famous for being a beach paradise. Florida is home to the Florida Reef. It is the only living coral barrier reef in the continental United States and is the third largest in the world. Unfortunately, the states still haven't taken action to protect this amazing resource from the toxic chemicals used to make some sunscreens. There are plenty of safe and effective sunscreens that don't contain these toxic chemicals. Mineral based sunscreens are typically the safest for the environment.
By ignoring the facts, they are putting a bullseye on one of their most important tourist draws and slowly, over time the huge Florida Reef could sicken and die. Florida should join Hawaii and ban these environmentally toxic chemicals. It's an easy fix ,and one more way to help ensure that our coral reefs will be here for a long time to come.
Please sign the petition and ask Florida to ban sunscreens containing oxybenzone and octinoxate.