Fourth of July fireworks are not the end of the world, but animals do not know that
ANIMALS 24-7 has a version of the Big Bang Theory, which holds, quite apart from theories about the origin and eventual end of the universe, that few human activities, involving animals or anything else, are more pointless, useless, stupidly dangerous, and just plain obnoxious than the custom of detonating fireworks in celebration of practically anything.
ANIMALS 24-7 has also yet to observe any animal whose behavior did not demonstrate complete agreement.
The last difference between animal & human behavior
Indeed, along the evolutionary continuum of animal and human behavior, including toolmaking, memory, complex communication, perception of passing time, perception of self, et al, the one remaining meaningful difference between humans and other animals may be that humans alone enjoy ear-splitting noise combined with lightning-like flashes, shock waves, and the omnipresent risks of wildfires plus personal injury.
No species other than the one priding ourselves on possession of great intelligence engages in anything contributing less to the health and well-being of ourselves, our young, and our surroundings. The sole outcome of the detonation of fireworks, even if no one is injured, is a small contribution to the eventual entropic dissolution of the universe through heat loss.
Nothing more; nothing less.
With that much said, we turn the ANIMALS 24-7 editorial platform over to guest columnist Wayne Pacelle, president of both Animal Wellness Action and the Center for a Humane Economy:
(Facebook photo)
Wayne Pacelle: “We can spare our pets & wildlife”
We, as humans, understand fireworks and that the explosions are contained, and that the visuals are harmless. We know we are not in danger.
But for animals, it seems like the war has come to their homes, whether they are birds in the backyard or dogs or cats in our homes.
This is a matter of restraint and of our understanding of the effects on animals. We can have a fantastic celebration without putting animals through the stress of a fireworks extravaganza in our communities.
We can spare our pets and wildlife from the wartime-like booming sounds, burning smoke, and bright flashing lights of live fireworks displays.
“Many pets choose flight”
It would make a world of difference to our pets to keep them at home, in a safe and secure room with their favorite toys and a cozy blanket, during this holiday week. Better yet, stay home with them, so they don’t panic with the repetition of booming sounds.
Triggered by these concussive sounds, many pets choose flight. And they go missing. Make sure your pets have identification on their collars. Keeping them indoors during these displays is critical.
Even worse, birds lose their judgment and slam into windows, producing serious injury or death.
“Many alternatives”
There are so many alternatives to celebrating the Fourth of July without fireworks. Ideas include glow sticks, firecracker piñatas, red and blue bubbles, giant bubble blow wands, balloons with LED lights inside, confetti poppers, and silly string.
For the long term, let your city leaders know that you would like to invest in a celebration that doesn’t involve live fireworks. Educate your neighbors. Lobby your home owners’ association or local chamber of commerce to change the celebration next year to be 100% animal friendly.
ANIMALS 24-7 again:
To be sure, the Fourth of July is far from the only occasion traditionally marked by masturbatory orgasmic skyward displays of the effects of gunpowder, which chiefly demonstrate how paltry human efforts are compared to those of nature.
Thunder and lightning detonating far above bird and bat flights, stretching from horizon to horizon, typically bring life-giving rain.
Fireworks bring only acrid smoke, yet producing such simulated farts wafting through already polluted cities remains the central event of many celebratory occasions far older and more widely observed than the Fourth of July, including the New Year’s Eves of every major calendar, and the largest such event of them all, the Hindu festival of Diwali, celebrated in India at the same time as Halloween in the U.S. and Canada.
Australian vegan philanthropist Phil Wollen had a bit to say about Diwali several years ago, which remains pertinent not only to Diwali but also to the Fourth of July and the various New Year’s Eve celebrations:
Phil Wollen on Diwali & fireworks:
I write from faraway Australia, where one million people celebrate Diwali with color and vigor seen only in a World Cup Cricket Final.
And I wish a “Happy Diwali” to my Indian friends – and the one billion people around the world who celebrate Diwali!
Minus the crackers, Diwali is the “BEST FESTIVAL EVER.”
After all, Diwali, also called Deepavali, is the spiritual “victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance.”
“Not exclusively Hindu”
Happily, the joyful color, lights and sounds of Diwali are not exclusively Hindu.
It is a shared experience for Jains, Buddhists and Muslims alike.
And why not?
It is a time for great food, fun and friendship!
Alas, the fire-crackers are noisy, smelly, polluting, dangerous – and cruel.
Poor air quality on Diwali night is palpable with significant concentration of aerosols, carbon and trace gases.
“Not limited to Diwali,” or the Fourth of July
Of course, it is not limited to Diwali.
Metal particle pollution from Girona’s Sant Joan fireworks fiesta in Spain contaminates the city for weeks.
In India, post-Diwali fireworks are more polluting than a grid-locked, gasping Beijing and Guy Fawkes is the most polluted day in the United Kingdom.
Thousands of people are killed or severely injured in India from fireworks and crackers.
“Blinded & disfigured”
As a schoolboy, I watched in horror as a child was blinded and disfigured by an exploding cracker on Diwali night in Bangalore.
And of course, the trauma inflicted on terrified animals is immeasurable. As usual, the innocent suffer first and the most, and for the most frivolous of human reasons.
I believe there is a smarter, safer, more entertaining, and more profitable alternative for India.
After all, which country is more creative, more technologically energized, more entrepreneurially galvanized, more “Ahimsan” than India?
“Illuminated flying drones”
If India can put a spaceship on the far side of the moon, she can easily replace mindless fireworks with a magical “Light, Sound and Color” extravaganza based on brains, engineering and Bollywood.
I watched a majestic demonstration of illuminated flying drones, beautifully choreographed in the night sky––and wondered.
Wouldn’t it be great if Diwali (and weddings and other celebrations) got rid of the loud, mindless, fireworks and crackers?
And replaced it with these hi-tech machines to entertain vast crowds with colorful lights and music?
Range & color
The range and color would be far more extensive, limited only by the imagination and artistry of the producers.
And they would be renewable!
They could entertain entire neighborhoods, sharing the joy with the diverse community, and it wouldn’t pollute the atmosphere, injure or kill the children or frighten the millions of animals who share the homes and streets of every Indian citizen, in the cities and villages.
And it would be safe.
“My Diwali wish for India”
Fireworks residues of unburnt propellants and colourants poison the ground, and get washed into the already polluted lakes, tanks and rivers of India.
Their toxicity cause thyroid and breathing problems more dangerous than traffic pollution.
So, my Diwali wish for India is simple.
I wish you the sweetest of times.
And a sophisticated, sustainable, safe, and joyful Diwali.
(Beth Clifton collage)
ANIMALS 24-7 again:
With due respect to the good intentions of Wayne Pacelle and Phil Wollen, our question is, why is it necessary to replace any pointless, stupid, useless, wasteful and dangerous activity with anything?
There are already a multitude of other traditional, popular, and mostly harmless activities associated with all of the occasions on which fireworks are detonated almost as an afterthought, after the feasts, parades, concerts, athletic events, and other family pursuits.
Why blow the hell out of the night just when tired children and weary adults should be settling down to sleep, along with most birds, while most mammals come out to find their dinners?
We should not really need substitutes for fireworks, just the reminder that if we are indeed the species with the brains, it is high time for us to act like it.
(See also Animals to humans: “Save us from things that go BANG!!! in the night!” and No more fireworks over grizzlies in Banff National Park.)
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I’m no authority on the subject, but I would venture a guess that the fireworks used on the Fourth of July originate in the sounds/sights of the war for U.S. Independence from Britain?
Every time fireworks are utilized, it seems kids, and others, are maimed or killed due to irresponsible use and dangerous varieties of these “fun” items.
Fortunately, our city bans them; but Los Angeles city limits are very close and we can still hear them. There are professional fireworks shows in some of the locations within the city limits for those wanting this experience.
Fireworks displays actually originated at some point between 600 and 900 CE in China, reaching Europe in the 13th century, perhaps with Marco Polo, certainly within his time frame. The earliest fireworks display on record in the U.S. appears to have been held in 1738, in connection with a traveling circus, but fireworks displays were undoubtedly common before that, since the circus promotional material did not have to explain what fireworks were.
Many thanks for speaking up about the many reasons to abandon the polluting and damaging practice of exploding fireworks, and for all your terrific work!
Thank you to EVERYONE who contributed their thoughts. I remember in my former home state (Ohio) when a number of children and adults were injured (and at least one child killed) during firework displays. In my current home of Las Vegas, with the alarming drought conditions, it’s insane that we allow these displays. Homes have been set afire and property has been damaged as a result. Wildlife, along with pets, suffer; and our shelters and rescues are overwhelmed in the days following the 4th of July insanity. Let’s get a grip and start making some good common-sense decisions – which start at our officials’ level since we can’t seem to rely upon the average citizen who thinks these are a great way to celebrate.
I think our obsession with fireworks for a celebration stems from our worldview which values war and militaristic festivals. Western civilization was literally built on constant warfare.
My town seems to have a nudge-nudge-wink-wink policy when it comes to the official rules about individuals not setting off fireworks in the city limits. Every year I nervously watch them shoot over rooftops, trees, and powerlines, some very close, within the close-set houses in my neighborhood.
I give my dog and the younger cat calming treats, (they are in the house of course) which work somewhat, but are not miracles, especially for the really close and loud reports. I also have a Thundershirt for the dog, but once again, this is not a perfect solution. He still whimpers and barks. The oldest cat, who ironically enough, turns 20 this July 4, is by now so deaf that she sleeps through a vacuum cleaner in the same room as her, let alone anything going on outside.