At the City Commission meeting on January 15, 2020, the Mayor and City Commission referred this discussion to the to the Neighborhood and Quality of Life Committee to discuss the scope for a World Reef Day Event and direct administration to set up the event to be held on June 1, 2020 in Miami Beach. The item was sponsored by Commissioner Michael Gongora.

On May 29, 2019, the Governor of State of Hawaii, David Y.Ige, declared June 1, 2019 as the World Reef Day. World Reef Day was inspired by Hawaii’s legislation to ban the sale of sunscreens containing oxybenzone and octinoxate, that goes into effect on January 2021. World Reef Day is a call to action for simple, everyday environmentally preferred choices, highlighting sustainability, responsibility and environmental education.

Last year, several organizations in Hawaii celebrated World Reef Day, with the aim to reflect on our ocean’s ecosystem and make simple changes to protect our coral reefs. Discussions included the use of reef-safe sunscreen and single-use plastics reduction. Raw Elements natural sunscreen partnered with Hawaiian Airlines and Aqua-Aston Hospitality for a World Reef Day outreach campaign.