Australia is home to one of the seven natural wonders of the world, the Great Barrier Reef. Apart from climate change already damaging the Great Barrier Reef, the use of suncreens containing oxybenzone, octinoxate, and other harmful chemicals are contributing to the destruction of the reef as well.

Between 6,000 and 14,000 tons of sunscreen lotion, many of which contain between 1 and 10 % oxybenzone, are released into coral reefs each year. The nanoparticles in these substances can disrupt coral's reproduction and growth cycles, which leads to coral bleaching. Even while showering the sunscreen's chemicals can end up draining into the ocean.

The Great Barrier Reef is reported to have an economic, social, and icon value of $56 billion dollars and supports 64,000 jobs while contributing $6.4 billion to the Australian economy. The Great Barrier Reef's importance to Australia is paramount. Today, Hawaii and Palau have created laws that ban the sale of harmful sunscreens that damage coral reefs. 

Therefore, we want the Australian government to pass a law to ban the sale of oxybenzone and octinoxate containing sunscreens and stand up for our Great Barrier Reef.