September 29, 2014
aethic, coral reefs, coral triangle, gobluefoundation, holidays, sovee, sunscreen, sustainability
Millions of holiday makers flock to the Coral Triangle each year. We head to countries like Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines in search of sun, sand, sea - and coral. But most of us would be surprised to learn that with every visit, we’re helping destroy the region’s iconic reefs. And it’s all because of one product we all use in the tropics, whether surfer, spa goer or backpacker: sunscreen.
WIN 3 BOTTLES OF CORAL SAFE SUNSCREEN WORTH €150! Did you know regular sunscreen kills corals? Email us via the Contact section, telling us what chemicals in sunscreen cause coral bleaching. We'll pick a winner on Monday 06 October who will receive a pack of three bottles of Sôvée by post!
Millions of holiday makers flock to the Coral Triangle each year. We head to countries like Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines in search of sun, sand and sea - and coral. But most of us would be surprised to learn that with every visit, we’re directly contributing to the destruction of the region’s iconic reefs. And it’s all because of one product that we all use when we visit the tropics, whether surfer, spa goer or backpacker: sunscreen.‘Deadly’ is not a word you’d associate with sunscreens - the fact that they protect us from the UV rays that can cause skin cancer obviously casts them in a positive light. But for coral reefs, sunscreen can literally be fatal.
When you think of ocean pollutants, oil spills and factories and run off from mines probably spring to mind - after all, they tend to grab the headlines. But there’s also a constant, globally vast drip-feed of solids, gases and liquids that is released, fed or dumped into water upstream, downstream, downriver and often directly into the ocean. And the source can be products we all use every day - shampoos, soaps, detergents, medicines...and sunscreen.
Most sunscreens contain ingredients that are toxic to corals. Titanium dioxide and zinc oxide react with UV light to create Hydrogen Peroxide, which can set off viral epidemics in the algae that coral polyps feed on. As the algae dies, so the coral has nothing left to eat. Eventually it bleaches and dies too. This richochets up the food chain, affecting other creatures that rely on the reef for food, shelter and to spawn.
It is estimated that as much as 10% of coral damage is attributable to sunscreens. And this is happening around the globe, from the Coral Triangle to the Mediterranean to the Caribbean. All of these reefs are crucial to marine life, providing habitat, food and spawning grounds for the species that we ourselves feed on in our millions.
So what’s the answer? Sustainable sunscreen of course. But until recently, coral friendly sunscreen was nigh on impossible to come by. The Going Blue Foundation is a non-profit which raises awareness about the sources of water pollution and the ways in which we all contribute to it, not only big industry. But instead of just preaching a ‘don’t use’ message, the Foundation decided to offer an alternative to regular sunscreens, both as a way of mitigating impacts on reefs by offering consumers an ethical, sustainable alternative and at the same time raising awareness about the issue in the marketplace.
We set up a skincare company called Aethic, which together with a team of scientists developed Sôvée, the world’s first truly coral friendly sunscreen. It took rigorous testing to get the product right. Scientists from Marche Polytechnic University first tested an entire range of ingredients on coral off the coast of Indonesia, in the heart of the Coral Triangle. Having eliminated the harmful ones, the scientists formulated a product which was tested on the same coral, as well as on mussels in the Mediterranean. Neither was harmed.
Sôvée is the only sunscreen that’s been scientifically proven to be coral friendly. It also offers superlative skincare, with three UV filters in a gentle, easily absorbed base. It’s not the only product on market touting itself as sustainable, but if you want to be totally sure that you’re sunscreen won’t harm marine ecosystems, it is for now the go-to product. Sôvée is steadily gaining traction globally and is stocked in a number of top line retailers, resorts as well as online at aethic.com.
You can find out more about the work of the Going Blue Foundation on our website www.gobluetoo.com. Going Blue recently produced a blueprint for islands, which gives advice and tips on ‘going blue'. You can visit our virtual island utopia at www.corabon.com
We set up a skincare company called Aethic, which together with a team of scientists developed Sôvée, the world’s first truly coral friendly sunscreen. It took rigorous testing to get the product right. Scientists from Marche Polytechnic University first tested an entire range of ingredients on coral off the coast of Indonesia, in the heart of the Coral Triangle. Having eliminated the harmful ones, the scientists formulated a product which was tested on the same coral, as well as on mussels in the Mediterranean. Neither was harmed.
Sôvée is the only sunscreen that’s been scientifically proven to be coral friendly. It also offers superlative skincare, with three UV filters in a gentle, easily absorbed base. It’s not the only product on market touting itself as sustainable, but if you want to be totally sure that you’re sunscreen won’t harm marine ecosystems, it is for now the go-to product. Sôvée is steadily gaining traction globally and is stocked in a number of top line retailers, resorts as well as online at aethic.com.
You can find out more about the work of the Going Blue Foundation on our website www.gobluetoo.com. Going Blue recently produced a blueprint for islands, which gives advice and tips on ‘going blue'. You can visit our virtual island utopia at www.corabon.com
