Screening the Reefs

We've all heard of Coral Bleaching, most of us know what it is ("pigment loss associated with the dissociation of the symbiosis between coral and their dinoflagellates"), and some of us even know the causes. Anyone who has witnessed coral bleaching first-hand understands the true devastation. Like pouring turpentine on a Pollock, a Monet, or the Mona Lisa, coral bleaching is not only the destruction of Nature's vibrant creativity, it is also the death of the present and future corals.

With 60% of the world's reef systems threatened by climate change, industrial pollution, and excess UV radiation, the solution is certainly complex especially when you add into the mix the new study findings commissioned by the European Commission. The study finds that "cream-based ultraviolet filters" aka. sunscreen can cause bleaching of coral even in small quantities. Traveling in Australia Magazine states that:

"Researchers at the Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy added controlled amounts of three brands of sunscreen to seawater surrounding the coral in Mexico, Indonesia, Thailand, and Egypt. Sadly, within 18 to 48 hours, even small doses provoked large discharges of coral mucous; a clear sign of environmental stress. Worse still, within 96 hours, complete bleaching--meaning the death of the corals--had occurred. "

The study, published in US journal Environmental Health Perspectives, has added sunscreen to the list of damaging agents. It estimates that 10% of the world's reefs may be at risk of sunscreen-induced bleaching.

So how do we savor the beauty of destinations like the Great Barrier Reef without destroying it by protecting ourselves from Australia's ozone-strengthened sun? Fortunately, you can bring along on your next vacation down under or to any other diving/snorkeling/beach combing vacation coral-friendly non-toxic sunscreen. You might foot a higher priced product but, who knows, perhaps it'll be better for you too.

Wondering where to get the products? See below for a few leads:
Mexitan - scroll down, they actually do sell spf 30
Burt's Bees
Pristine Planet