#coral death

A coalition of 60 community leaders, conservation organizations, businesses, elected officials and academics has petitioned the federal government to ban three chemicals from sunscreens and other personal care products. The petition cites scientific studies on the dangers to Hawai‘i’s coral reefs and coastal ecosystems posed by oxybenzone, octinoxate and octocrylene.

Hawai’i’s coral reefs will be entering a major bleaching event within the next two months, if not sooner, the Department of Land and Natural Resources warns. DLNR administrator Brian Neilson said the bleaching is “probably going to be worse than the ones we experienced four and five years ago.”