<h5>Is there a need to protect ourselves from the sun?</h5>  <p>There are times when we rush outside to play on a bright sunny day and come back feeling a nasty, stinging burn on our skin. This is a sunburn! We all know that the sun is bountiful, it gives us so much through its warm sunshine.</p>
<p>
But, along with the sunshine come harmful UV-A and UV-B rays which we must protect ourselves from. These harmful ultraviolet rays can not only damage the skin and lead to painful sunburns but also cause skin cancer, in rare cases.
</p> <h5>How does sunscreen protect us?</h5>  <p>Sunscreen makes sure our skin does not absorb the harmful UV rays of the sun. Simply put, it blocks the sun out! (that’s why we also call it sunblock!). Did you know that sunscreen also slows down ageing? Yes! Many people use sunscreen every day, it helps them look younger in the future.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Not all sunscreens work the same way. Sunscreens have a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) number. These SPF numbers give us different levels of protection against the sun's rays. Children should use sunscreen with SPF 30, or more.</p>
<p>To work properly, sunscreen contains many complicated ingredients and minerals. One of the most commonly used ingredients is called oxybenzone. 
</p> <h5>So, what’s the problem?</h5> <figure>
        <img src="https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/newsahoot.appspot.com/o/sunscreens-poisoning-coral-reefs-shows-study%2Fsunscreens-poisoning-coral-reefs-shows-study-section1.jpg?alt=media&token=8cb2fb8f-00ff-4c23-9d80-2a621cfa3fec" alt="So, what’s the problem?" >
        <figcaption>Coral reefs! Photo by Visa Vietnam / Pixabay; https://cdn.pixabay.com/photo/2014/03/17/09/05/fish-288988_1280.jpg</figcaption>
      </figure> <p>Beach-goers often slather sunscreen on themselves and take a dip in the ocean. Through this, the sunscreen they’ve just applied mixes with the ocean water. </p>
<p></p>
<p>Recently, scientists have been able to confirm that sunscreens containing oxybenzone are endangering corals in the ocean by poisoning them. Oxybenzone stops corals from growing. It also causes corals to lose their bright, beautiful colours, and ultimately die. </p>
<p>Oxybenzone also harms coral reefs (home to so many fish - remember ‘Finding Nemo’?), fish, seagrass, sea turtles, and other ocean life.
</p> <h5>So, is anyone doing something to keep corals safe?</h5>  <p>The coral reefs of the world are in danger, and many countries have taken action to save corals in their region. Lawmakers in Hawaii banned sunscreens that contained oxybenzone in 2018. Shortly after this, the governments of other countries such as the Virgin Islands, Aruba, and Palau, also banned it. </p>
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In 2021, Australia, home to the biggest coral reef in the world, prohibited the sale of sunscreens with the ingredient oxybenzone in them. The reef itself is so big that it can be seen from outer space. But this could change soon because of many reasons, one of them being oxybenzone. 
</p> <h5>Can I do something to protect myself and the coral reefs?</h5>  <p>So now we’re in a pickle - how do we protect ourselves and the corals? We can do this by buying and using sunscreen which does not contain oxybenzone. This way, we stay safe and so do our corals! Through small, thoughtful actions like these, we can save Planet Earth.</p>
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This is what we also call ‘sustainability’. A sustainable practice is one that makes sure that our needs are met, and we don’t end up hurting our dear home planet. This way we can make sure that everyone can enjoy what our beautiful planet has to offer, for many years to come!
</p>

Sunscreen is very useful in protecting us from the sun. But the same thing that protects us might be hurting the beautiful corals in the ocean. Let’s see how.


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