The 2nd annual World Reef Day, June 1, was celebrated virtually during inspiring conversations with some of the world’s most influential sustainability and ocean conservation thought leaders.
Founded by reef-safe sunscreen industry pioneer Raw Elements USA in 2019, World Reef Day is a recurring annual calendar day to highlight the critical state of our coral reefs and activate change in individuals, companies and government officials alike.
The world tuned in on June 1 – and continued from June 9 – 12 – on @RawElementsUSA’s Instagram to witness over 15 engaging conversations and experiences. Senators, scientists, marine biologists, hoteliers, professional surfers, photographers, journalists and more rallied together as World Reef Day speakers in an effort to activate change through storytelling and raise funds for this year’s four non-profit beneficiaries – Coral Gardeners, Mālama Pūpūkea-Waimea, Surfrider Foundation Oahu, and Sustainable Coastlines Hawaii.
Highlights include a behind-the-scenes look into the work being done by each of the beneficiaries including a virtual visit to the Coral Gardeners team on the island of Mo’orea; a lesson on sustaining cultural resources with Mālama Pūpūkea-Waimea; a discussion on the importance of reducing single use plastics with Surfrider Foundation Oahu; and a close look at the microscopic plastics in our sand at Waimanalo Beach with Sustainable Coastlines Hawaii.Tune in to Raw Elements’ IGTV to watch the videos here.
In celebration of World Reef Day and World Oceans Month, Raw Elements is donating 25% of its online revenue for the month of June directly to the four beneficiaries. Additionally, through World Reef Day’s GoFundMe page, 100% of the funds will be donated directly to the beneficiaries.
From beach cleanups, government activism and youth education to cutting-edge research and technology, World Reef Day is honored to highlight the efforts of its four beneficiaries.
- Coral Gardenersis an NGO based on the island of Mo’orea, French Polynesia, taking action to solve the problems coral reefs are facing and getting the whole world to join them.
- Mālama Pūpūkea-Waimeais working to replenish and sustain the natural and cultural resources of the Pūpūkea and Waimea Marine Life Conservation District for present and future generations through active community stewardship, education, and partnerships.
- The mission of Surfrider Foundationis to protect our ocean, beaches and waves. The Oahu chapter was instrumental in the passage of the plastic bag ban as well as Bill 40, the most comprehensive plastic ban in the nation.
- Sustainable Coastlines Hawaii, a Hawaii-based grassroots 501c3 nonprofit organization, is on a mission of inspiring local communities to care for their coastlines through large-scale beach cleanups, educating students, and offering waste diversion services for events on Oʻahu.
For more information on World Reef Day, please visit www.WorldReefDay.org.
