PHYTO USA supports healthy coral reefs!

We spoke with Emily Godoy a team member for PHYTO, a hair care brand built on over 50 years of craftsmanship and cutting edge scientific innovation. Emily explains her relationship with nature, describes how working with PHYTO has led her to understand the power and beauty of our environment, and expresses her hope for the future of coral reefs through our work at Coral Restoration Foundation™

What is your earliest memory of the ocean? My earliest memory of the ocean is going to the beach with my family as a kid. Living in South Florida, I love that we can enjoy the ocean all year round and appreciate its natural beauty.

What is your favorite marine creature? Definitely a dolphin. They’re so graceful and cheerful. A few years ago on a family trip to Naples, we got to see these beautiful creatures jumping out of the water at sunset and it was such a beautiful sight!

What concerns or scares you the most about climate change?

It is concerning to me that in recent years there has been an increase in natural disasters, and things will continue to get worse over time if we don’t take care of our planet. I want to ensure that our generation is doing everything we can to leave a beautiful and healthy environment for the generations to come.

Why do you, personally, care about coral reefs?

Personally, I am so thankful for the beauty of Mother Nature and coral reefs are one of the most precious ecosystems on Earth. Being based in South Florida, our team lives near the Florida Keys and these diverse coral species are close to home. Overall, coral reefs around the world are essential to all marine life and I feel we must do everything possible to preserve these delicate ecosystems.

Why is protecting and restoring coral reefs relevant to your brand?

Protecting and restoring our natural environment including coral reefs is essential to Phyto. All of Phyto’s formulas are plant-based and made up of an average of 95% natural ingredients which include a blend of essential oils and plant extracts. It is our mission to create gentle yet powerful plant-based products that are safe for humans and the environment, including coral reefs. We pride ourselves in creating products that have a positive impact by avoiding the use of harsh chemical substances like parabens, silicones, mineral oils, and synthetic alcohols.

Why should the average person care about coral reefs? The average person should care about coral reefs because they are vital to the health of the world’s precious marine life. Everything is a chain reaction, and when one thing is degraded or at risk of extinction, it will likely affect many other things. I think it is in everyone’s best interest to maintain and improve the environment as a whole since we only have one Earth.

What are some of the most powerful tools at our disposal that we can apply to the mission to save coral reefs? Some of the powerful tools at our disposal are community and social media. Big change truly starts small. Supporting and following amazing organizations like CRF™ can make a difference. Being an advocate for brands and organizations that are working to preserve the environment and coral reefs also helps in the overall mission.

What do you think are some of the easiest ways that the average person can join the mission to save coral reefs from extinction?

A simple way that can truly go a long way is to do spend time researching and becoming more knowledgeable about coral reefs. This way, they can spread awareness about the cause and how to get more involved. If they can go a step further and experience the beauty of these delicate coral reefs firsthand by scuba diving, that would make all the difference. Also, contributing to the cause whether it’s volunteering or making a monetary donation is one of the most important ways to help save coral reefs from extinction.

Do you think there is hope for our coral reefs?

Yes! The fact that there are many organizations and brands making conscious efforts to help restore our coral reefs is remarkable. It all starts with one decision, one person, one organization, etc. and this creates a positive ripple effect in restoring coral reefs and our environment as a while.

Thank you to Emily and PHYTO for supporting healthy coral reefs!

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Editor

Madalen Howard is CRF's Marketing Associate. Madalen comes to CRF™ via a winding road from the Tennessee hills, to the South Carolina low country, ending here in Florida’s Coral Reef. She earned her Bachelor's degree in Marine Biology and a Minor in Environmental Studies from the College of Charleston in 2016. Her experience ranges from field research to education, and communications.

Madalen spent the last 4 years as a Field Instructor and Social Media Strategist for MarineLab Environmental Education Center. Here she was able to study and teach marine ecology, while snorkeling through mangroves, seagrasses, and coral reefs every day. While at MarineLab she combined her education and research background, entered the world of communications, and developed MarineLab’s social media department from the ground up.

Throughout her life Madalen has had a skill connecting people with nature. With CRF™, she is excited to bring people into the world of coral restoration, creating inclusive pathways to scientific discovery.