Picture of Caudalie reef friendly sunscreen.

9 Things You Need to Know about (reef-safe) Sunscreen and Coral Reefs

There’s been lots of talk in the press recently about the negative effect chemical sunscreens might have on coral reefs. This has left many people with lots of questions: which chemicals are problematic, what impact do they have and, if I can’t wear sunscreen, how can I stop myself getting burned? Here, we’ve digested the latest news and science around potentially harmful sunscreen so you don’t have to (unless you really want to!).

Picture of people on a beach.

Demonstrating Marine Conservation Success in the “Village of Coral” – Okinawa, Japan, December 2019

This December, Chloe and I visited Onna Village in Okinawa. Globally renowned for its marine sports, Onna Village recognises its coral reefs as the treasure of the island and has been working to protect them for many years. Despite this, the island’s corals are dying because of the effects of global warming and the village has recognised the need to do more to prevent further damage… and they’re already well underway with their efforts.

Picture of a canvas bag with the slogan 'save our reefs'.

How to Reduce Your Plastic Footprint While Travelling

People around the world are becoming more aware of the issues around single-use plastic and how to reduce their plastic footprint in day to day life. But what about while travelling? On the road, it can feel even more difficult to reduce your plastic use. But, with a bit of planning, it can be done. And even if everyone made just a few small changes to their plastic consumption, it could have a big impact on the environment.

Picture of Reef World team with Green Fins assessors

Developing Sustainable Tourism Practices in Ambon, Indonesia, October 2019

While still a lesser known dive destination – there are only a handful of dive shops in the area – awareness of Ambon among divers is steadily growing. For this reason, Green Fins implementation is key while this relatively “young” dive destination is still developing. By reaching the Ambon dive industry before it gets too big, the Green Fins Indonesia team can set the bar for environmental standards and make sustainable diving practices the norm in the area.