Conservation 101: the Compete to Conserve Blog

Endangered by factors such as global warming and pollution (see Sunscreens Killing the Coral Reef, posted on July 5^th), coral reefs are also the victims of another modern plague: rampant consumerism.

photo credit: robertpaulyoung

The United States is the biggest offender, importing about 80% or 400,000 pieces of coral yearly—much of which is used for jewelry and home décor. Indeed, the high demand for, and increasing rarity of, precious red and pink coral is such that jewelry and art pieces made from these corals can sell for as little as $20, or as much as $20,000.

According to a recent report in the journal Science, if the onslaught on coral reefs continues unimpeded, over 98% of the world’s coral reefs could be destroyed by 2050. This would pose a bleak future for the myriad of aquatic life and people who depend on them for their livelihood.

To increase people’s awareness about the need to protect these beleaguered creatures, the ocean conservation organization SeaWeb launched the Too Precious to Wear campaign this past January. The campaign’s launch also marked the start of the 2008 International Year of the Reef—a year-long series of programs and events focusing on coral conservation.

Too Precious to Wear advocates stricter control of the global coral trade, emphasizing the importance of industry and consumer responsibility. The campaign represents a collaboration of scientists, industry leaders, fashion and home designers, as well as celebrities. Tiffany & Co., which hasn’t used real coral in its jewelry for the last six years, voiced its support of the campaign with CEO Michael J. Kowalski declaring “there are much better alternatives that celebrate the beauty of the ocean.” The company’s line of jewelry with a coral-branch motif is one option. Other alternatives include environmentally friendly home décor items such as Pottery Barn’s resin-sculpted coral candle-holders and home designer Michael Aram’s Coral Reef Collection, available in select department stores nationwide.

Julia Louis-Dreyfus, founding partner of the Too Precious campaign, argues that “it is up to each of us to make sure corals are protected. If we take good care of the ocean, the ocean will take care of us.” To find out more how you can do this, see

Too Precious to Wear:

http://www.tooprecioustowear.org/_science/overview.html

2008 International Year of the Reef:

http://www.iyor.org/

photo credit: laszlo-photo

For years we’ve been told by doctors to wear sunscreen to protect ourselves from the cancer-causing ultraviolet rays. Now it seems, this protection for humans may come at a cost. According to a report published in the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences journal Environmental Health Perspectives, chemical ingredients found in most sunscreens can cause bleaching in coral reef and are accumulating in fish and other aquatic life.

An estimated 6,000 tons of sunscreen ends up in coral reef areas where people swim and snorkel. And because 60% of the world’s coral reef is threatened by rising sea temperatures, pollution, and excess UV radiation, the sunscreen issue is worth further study and action.

Here are a few ways you can do your part to limit these chemicals in our oceans and still protect yourself from the sun:

1. Wear a long-sleeved rash guard (swim shirt) so less skin is exposed and less sunscreen is needed. You can find UPF-rated clothing at surf shops or online at Coolibar and Athleta.
2. When not in the water, stay in the shade, so you’ll need to reapply sunscreen less often. Bring a beach umbrella and wear hat.
3. Wear sunscreen with biodegradable ingredients. (This is already a requirement in some protected areas in Mexico.) Avoid sunscreen that contains Benzophenone-3 (Oxybenzone), ethylhexylmethoxycinnamate (Octinoxate), 4-Methylbenzylidene camphor, and Butylparaben.

Brands such as Alba Botanica, Badger, Burt’s Bees, California Baby, and Keys Soaps carry sunscreens that don’t contain the ingredients above and can be found at many natural foods stores. But buyer beware: none of the suggested brands come in an SPF higher than 30, which for those with fair skin, can be an issue.

Coming soon: our own biodegradable sunscreen field test.

More on this topic:

Swimmers’ Sunscreen Killing Off Coral in National Geographic News