Monday, July 1, 2013

Make 'em Go Ah, Ah, Ah-way

As spring gives way to the season of sand, sunburns, and prescription deodorant, one of the most highly coveted holidays quickly approaches. It is the one holiday that remains absent of weddings, bloat, and obligatory gift giving. It's the only time that everyone can do whatever the want -- hopefully some activity involving a beach, boat, or barbeque. Not only is the Fourth of July fun and relaxing, but more importantly, it celebrates American independence. Now that's something to get psyched about.

So, in all my excitement about the holiday, why I'm leaving out one the most iconic images?

Fireworks!
http://photoblog.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/07/01/12507973-fireworks-festival-lights-up-skies-over-zagreb?lite
Look a little closer....
Have you ever noticed the haze that fireworks leave behind?
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/6488006/Firework-design-has-come-a-long-way-from-exploding-bamboo.html

While beautiful, fireworks generate a significant amount of environmental pollution.

1. Non-biodegradable wastes: 20 tons of plastic firework waste was collected over 28 miles of a Washington state beach in 2010. Six months later, they were still collecting whatever trash wasn't consumed by wildlife. On a personal level, think about all of the trash your neighborhood sparklers, drop pops, snakes, and party poppers make.

2. Chemicals and air particulates: Sulfur, perchlorate, lead, cadmium, rubidium, strontium, lithium, antimony... not good. In addition to chemicals and heavy metals, significant quantities of particulates are released and can drastically change a city's air quality. None of these things are good for you, your children, or your pets. 

http://cliffmass.blogspot.com/2011/07/fireworks-air-quality-alert.html

Disneyland's daily fireworks generated smoke and odor complaints from nearby residents. After a thorough study in 2004, Disney moved away from gun powder and now uses compressed air to jettison their fireworks high into the air. I love the star spangled banner as much as the next person, but "bombs bursting in air" isn't something to be repeated every year (or every week or day). We must move toward modern cleaner methods like this.

Laser light show in Brisbane: another more friendly alternative
http://www.flickr.com/photos/32053650@N03/7986569321/