The Editor says: Taiwan's recent news about the ban on plastic straws in four major types of venues has been creating quite a stir, leaving many people confused. Let's take a look at a positive example: how Hawaii — an economy built on tourism — has legislated a ban on sunscreens containing chemicals that cause coral bleaching. Managing Editor: Ingrid Wang
Hawaii's Sunscreen Ban
Hawaii became the first U.S. state to pass legislation banning the sale of sunscreens containing ingredients harmful to coral — specifically oxybenzone and octinoxate — in order to protect Hawaii's coral reefs from continued chemical damage.
Hawaii is a major tourism destination: sunshine, beaches, bikinis, and scuba diving. Every year it welcomes roughly 4 million visitors from around the world — along with the sunscreen they wear.
Researchers in Hawaii found high concentrations of oxybenzone and octinoxate at the state's most popular beaches — on Oahu and Maui — and in the nearby coral reefs. Whether washed off by swimmers or discharged through wastewater treatment plants, these chemicals ultimately make their way back into the ocean.
A 2015 study found that these chemicals affect marine ecosystems through a variety of pathways. They can cause coral bleaching and death, alter the sex of fish, and even increase the incidence of reproductive diseases in fish and mammals; they may also cause neurological damage in fish.
A single drop of oxybenzone is toxic enough to affect the equivalent of 6.5 Olympic-sized swimming pools. It is therefore not hard to imagine what impact the more than 15,000 tonnes of sunscreen that humans pour into the ocean every year must have on coral ecosystems.
There are many types of coral-friendly sunscreens available on the market. The purpose of Hawaii's ban is not to stop people from using sun protection. Rather, it is a reminder that we must — and have a responsibility to — use coral-friendly products while enjoying nature, and Hawaii's move should serve as a model for the rest of the world.
Reflections on Taiwan's Plastic Restrictions
Turning back to Taiwan's Environmental Protection Administration plastic restrictions: this policy does not stop us from sipping bubble tea through a straw or scooping up tapioca pearls with a spoon. The deeper message behind this legislation is a reminder that, as citizens of this planet, we must take responsibility for our use of single-use products — responsibility to the Earth and to future generations. We, as humans, should tread lightly upon this world.
Original article title: Hawaii Bans Sale of Sunscreens that Harm Coral, sourced from ScubaDiverLife
Further reading:
