The First World Reef Day is June 1—Here’s How You Can Celebrate

June 1 marks the first official World Reef Day, the brainchild of the team at the reef-safe brand Raw Elements, a one percent for the Planet member that has pioneered the reef-conscious movement with its certified-natural, non-nano zinc oxide-based sunscreens. Says their Director of Marketing, Danni Johnson, “The launch of World Reef Day is the culmination of a lifelong dream of ours to make a difference on this planet through awareness, education and positive action.”

The annual recurring day (and the month of educational initiatives to follow) is a call to action for consumers, businesses and organizations to reflect on the delicate ecosystem of the oceans’ coral reefs, many of which are dying around the world due to cumulative human impact. In recent years, there has been a major decline of coral reefs: 40 percent in Hawaii and the Great Barrier Reef, 85 percent in the Caribbean and 99 percent in the Florida Keys, says Danni.

“Industrial pollution, plastic pollution, sewage, chemical sunscreens and unmanaged high-density tourism all threaten coral reefs,” she continues.

Awareness and empowerment are why Raw Elements started World Reef Day, Danni says. “As consumers become more aware of the perils facing our oceans, we want to empower them to initiate simple changes in their daily lives, such as using reef-safe sunscreen and reducing plastic waste, which will have an enormous impact on the planet.”

How You Can Prevent More Coral Reef Damage

Since this phenomenon has been contributed to by humans, Danni says, we can also be the solution. Three simple things you can do today to prevent further coral reef damage:

1. Use reef-safe sunscreen.
2. Reduce single-use plastics.
3. Spread the message.

How You Can Celebrate World Reef Day

In addition to the daily ways you can prevent coral reef damage, on June 1, you can join Raw Elements, Hawaiian Airlines, Health-Ade, Surfjack Hotel and Swim Club and more, in posting on social media about how you are going to make a difference, says Danni, using #WorldReefDay. The above brands are also hosting a sweepstakes giveaway for an all-expenses paid trip to Hawaii.

If you’re in Hawaii, you can join the in-person paddle event at Duke’s Waikīkī from 7 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 1. Early arrivers will enjoy a Beach Boys-style breakfast, followed by a group paddle-out and Hawaiian blessing at 8 a.m., with a ceremony at 9:15 a.m. To add to the significance of World Reef Day, the production team from Karmagawa will be filming on-site the final scenes of their upcoming documentary Save The Reef, which will premiere on June 13.

For more info about the event and the sweepstakes, visit worldreefday.org. Interested in more info about reef-safe sunscreen? Read up on mineral sunscreen here and here.