Sunscreen pollution and tourism governance: Science and innovation are necessary for biodiversity conservation and sustainable tourism

Abstract Sunscreen pollution can be a symptom of unsustainable tourism and coastal development, impacting marine and aquatic resources. When introduced into marine and freshwater ecosystems, sunscreen pollution can cause a cascade of insults to the ecological structure, from impacting primary production to reducing wildlife reproductive viability and fecundity. Without intervention, tourism and its associated development in these coastal areas may become self‐destructive, ultimately degrading or destroying the natural resources that are the principal attractions. The environmental sciences that focus on pollution, such as ecotoxicology, environmental contaminant surveys and monitoring, and ecological risk assessments are critical for both describing the pollution phenomenon and identifying pollution sources, as well as providing the basis for mitigation. As a case study, the Republic of Palau has taken the step of implementing a precautionary governance policy to tourism that conserves and protects its marine and aquatic resources from chemical factors that are known to contribute to sunscreen and cosmetic pollution. Governance policies can inspire the cosmetic and fashion industries to innovate product formulations that are shown to be ecologically safer – a critical and viable option for pollution mitigation and an essential component for sustained conservation. Safer products and a precautionary approach to governance, when combined with ecologically and culturally cognizant branding and education, may contribute to an authentic experience that effectively promotes environmentally sustainable tourism.