1
0
Why didn’t COP26 stop Bonfire Night?
COP26 has almost completely greenified Glasgow as most shops in the City Centre are now consciously encouraging people to do the small things to help our planet.
There are multiple protests in the city centre where up to 100,000 people marched to protest saving our planet and ultimately making everything greener in order to save the Earth.
Despite all these protests and banners that have surrounded the city, Bonfire night still went ahead the same way it does every single year.
Frances Hobbs, Climate Justice Activist with Friday’s For Future Scotland, said:
“Fireworks do nothing good for the environment. The evidence is right in front of your eyes after every Bonfire night when the streets are filled with smoke from the night before. Not to mention the amount of waste they create when the rockets themselves fall back to the earth.
“I personally think Bonfire night should be banned all together but it is not going to happen without uproar.”
Multiple firework shows and displays were held in Glasgow either in public parks, back gardens and even just in the middle of the street in some cases.
Fireworks are highly toxic due to the gases they release. These gases are toxic to birds, wildlife, livestock, pets and even humans making them extremely damaging to us and the environment.
Fireworks release smoke and gases such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen and carbon dioxide which are all gases that are responsible for climate change. And each year the air pollution increases by 42% on Bonfire night compared to any other day of the year.
Keeping all these factors in mind, there was hardly any encouragement to not light up fireworks this year and for the years coming. People just went on as normal even after attending protests at COP26.
Although the people and protesters at COP26 couldn’t singlehandedly make fireworks illegal, other alternatives should be taken into account.
More has to be done to prevent fireworks, especially during COP26 where big leaders and people come together to try to save our planet and prevent climate change.
Fireworks are seen as a fun thing to do or watch as different colours explode into the night sky and create pretty patterns. It is hard to look at them as a negative thing as they are so normalised and hyped up every single year. Despite this, the planet has to come first.
Although fireworks should be discouraged, that does not mean people should no longer celebrate the 5th of November.
Instead of setting off fireworks you could still do various activities such as: playing or watching live music, visiting or holding a light or laser show or even just having a simple get together with friends.
Keeping all these factors in mind, hopefully next year will be different and more and more people will cut out the use of fireworks or an economically friendly alternative will be found.
