[ad_1]
AUDREY MCAVOY
ASSOCIATED PRESS | July 5, 2018, 13:13
| Updated 19 minutes ago.
The "Follow This Story" feature will notify you when stories related to this story are posted.
When you follow a story, the next time a related article is published – this may be days, weeks or months – you will receive an email informing you of the update.
If you no longer want to follow a story, click on the "Unsubscribe" link in this story. There is also a "Do not follow" link in every e-mail notification we send you.
This tool is only available to subscribers. Please make sure you are logged in if you want to follow a story.
HONOLULU – The governor of Hawaii, David Ige, on Tuesday signed legislation banning the sale of chemicals containing two chemicals that could harm coral reefs.
This move makes Hawaii the first US state to ban oxybenzone and octinoxate
"This is only a small step towards protecting and protecting Restoring the resilience of Hawaii's reefs, "said Ige at a signing ceremony. in 2021.
Ige said that the state should also continue other efforts to protect coral, including combating invasive species, pollution of runoff and climate change.
The sunscreen containing oxybenzone and octinoxate will only be available prescription from a doctor. Others will have to buy sunscreens without these chemicals or bring their own sunscreen with them to Hawaii.
Scientists have discovered that both substances can be toxic to coral reefs, which are a vital part of the ocean ecosystem.
Senator Roz Baker, who represents the south and west of Maui, said the bill was of enormous importance because coral is such a fundamental part of a larger ecosystem for the health of the planet
. t independent scientific studies supporting the claim that chemicals are harmful to coral reefs.
The Retail Merchants group of Hawaii said it worried that the ban would discourage people from buying sunscreen in brick and mortar stores. Lee, who represents the suburbs of Kailua and Waimanalo in Honolulu, said the law is a necessary step to help Hawaii transmit its reefs, ocean, tourism and lifestyle to the next generation.
He said that it was necessary to act quickly to save what was left of the coral world, he said.
"We know the tide is against us, we have limited time," Lee said.
Source link
