Why the Pacific Island of Palau Prohibits Sun Protection

The Pacific Islands of Palau is considered one of the best dive sites in the world, with hundreds of varieties of fish and coral found in its reefs. In order to protect these natural treasures from harmful chemicals, Palau has recently become the first country to ban many types of sunscreens.

In the face of growing concern over the world's oceans, human rights defenders hope that Palau's law, which follows a similar measure adopted by the state of Hawaii, may only be the beginning of a new legal wave.

What is the science behind the ban?

An estimated 14,000 tonnes of sunscreen enter the oceans each year, but research has shown that chemicals that protect the skin from harmful ultraviolet light can also damage corals. When ocean temperatures rise, algae that feed on coral and lend it its bright colors go away, whitening it and eventually dying.

Chemicals in sunscreens can cause bleaching at below-normal temperatures. Combined with the rise of mercury, this is bad news for biodiversity and tourism.

How will the ban work?

The ban on Palau, which came into force on 25 October and entered into force on 1 January 2020, will ban sunscreens using any of the 10 chemicals, such as oxybenzone. Offending marks will be confiscated at airports and their importation or sale will be punishable by fines up to $ 1,000.

The law is designed to "strike the right balance between educating and frightening tourists," said Palau President Tommy Remengesau.

What does the future look like?

In 2016 and 2017, a record warmth has whitened 50% of the corals of the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. Scientists predict that 90% of the world's corals will be threatened. And on November 6, the UK's Biodiversity Tsar declared to the guardian this loss of species poses a risk to human life everywhere.

So, local officials like Palau and Hawaii say that with so many environmental factors out of their control, regulating sunscreens is the least they can do. And while some sun protection companies oppose it, the ban creates an incentive to favor 'safe for reef' varieties, an initiative officials hope can help save everyone's skin.

Write to Billy Perrigo at [email protected].