15 replies to this topic

[zararina]

Just watch about it on an evening news today.
All other countries have fireworks presentation for the New year's eve celebration just like the amazing fireworks display in Dubai and some cities in US.
But China, knowing that Chinese are fond of fireworks for celebrations do not have such kind of fireworks display. They just have some light show/display since they are really serious in making their country more greener. They do not want to worsen the air pollution on their area.Which I think was really good to know and should be followed by others too.

[Pushhyarag2000]

Chinese now appear to be thinking deeply and acting meaningfully in almost every endeavor! It's an extraordinary decision because even though there is widespread talk & every one seems to preach, when the D-day arrives, hardly any populist administration makes an effort to restrain the habits. That this was successfully done by the Chinese is admirable and worthy of emulation. I missed watching the news. thanks for sharing it!

[joeldgreat]

I don't think the tradition will fade simply by telling the Chinese people to stop using fireworks. Its in the tradition and culture, so it will not take overnight to stop it. Maybe, if the Chinese government is serious about going green, then maybe the amount of fireworks will be lessen each year.

[gangandealer]

That is very interesting, as China is a major polluter in the world at this point. It is good that they are taking initiative in becoming greener. Were they the only country not to make explosions.

[Ecodisaster]

Definitely China are leaning towards a better environment lately....except for the tons and tons of animals they exterminate claiming they have magical or medicinal properties, live turtle keychains (where turtles live in a type of artificial food kind of amniotic liquid in a 3 inch bag attached to a key until they die), and tons and tons of other stuff.

Maybe the fireworks are not a big issue compared to the carbon they generate every day. Not saying other countries don't do similar things, but I wouldn't really consider China greener. Or maybe greener with a paradox touch.

[Shortpoet-GTD]

Maybe they don't understand the concept of the jet streams on earth?
Fireworks pollution or coal pollution for that matter, doesn't stay localized.

They want to stay "greener" for themselves but continue to sell fireworks to everyone else on the planet?

[zararina]

Shortpoet-GTD, on 03 January 2012 - 04:31 AM, said:

Maybe they don't understand the concept of the jet streams on earth?
Fireworks pollution or coal pollution for that matter, doesn't stay localized.

They want to stay "greener" for themselves but continue to sell fireworks to everyone else on the planet?

IT was so right, better if they could also stop selling fireworks on other places/countries although doubt it since they would not like to lost huge income from it.
In here, there are fireworks made from China and sad to say some are even smuggled and/or banned type of fireworks. And sadder is that there are locals here that are making illegal fireworks too. Despite campaigns against illegal fireworks and safety precautions,still lot are being injured and some even died from it. The government is now thinking/planning to totally ban fireworks during new year celebrations.

[Shortpoet-GTD]

zararina, on 03 January 2012 - 07:02 AM, said:

The government is now thinking/planning to totally ban fireworks during new year celebrations.

I'm not a fan of "it's for your own good" bans. Why not tax the *&%^ out of them, so not as many are sold?
Then, when the cops bust the 1%, they can fine them on top of that.

[Alli]

The Chinese do not generally celebrate the traditional January 1st New Year. They do TONS of fireworks on the Chinese New Year- which falls at the end of January this year (it moves each year.) Beijing does not allow the sale of fireworks during the late December period- only from the period beginning a couple of weeks before Chinese New Year until the end of the holiday (which lasts 2 weeks)- shooting fireworks is prohibited except for the two week period during CNY. During that time it is insane- the air is literally brown from the pollution. The fireworks begin on CNY eve and are absolutely crazy from about 11 pm until 1am- and some straggle on through the early morning. Then the performance repeats every night throughout the two weeks- some days are heavier than others (I don't recall which, though- maybe day 7 and 10?) This is the same in every city across China- the pollution is insane.
They are not being environmentally responsible, they just dont celebrate that particular holiday (Jan 1) with fireworks.
Here is what CNY looks like in Beijing-

[mariaandrea]

Wow Alli. That's an awful lot of fireworks. I knew they were set off for CNY, but I didn't realize it went on for 2 weeks. One night is bad enough. That's just so over-the-top too much. That must be like breathing pure smoke.

[Green Thumb]

Soon enough modern technology should come up with virtual fireworks display if one can’t mellow or be gone with these wild fireworks from happening. You can’t reason out that it’s just once a year, right, because some country or city really let it all out in this once a year celebration. Add up all the money you have in preparation and buying of this wonderful pyrotechnics to make one wonderful eco-friendly dazzling display. LOL. A dreamy thing to embark on, I know. Who would want to end a tradition anyway?

[kat74]

We also did not have any fireworks on new years eve, it was for security reason though but I must say Chinese are on the right track in keeping green. They have started the year good by avoiding more pollution which means they will try and fight all sorts of pollution in their country.

[zararina]

Alli, on 04 January 2012 - 12:23 AM, said:

The Chinese do not generally celebrate the traditional January 1st New Year. They do TONS of fireworks on the Chinese New Year- which falls at the end of January this year (it moves each year.) Beijing does not allow the sale of fireworks during the late December period- only from the period beginning a couple of weeks before Chinese New Year until the end of the holiday (which lasts 2 weeks)- shooting fireworks is prohibited except for the two week period during CNY. During that time it is insane- the air is literally brown from the pollution. The fireworks begin on CNY eve and are absolutely crazy from about 11 pm until 1am- and some straggle on through the early morning. Then the performance repeats every night throughout the two weeks- some days are heavier than others (I don't recall which, though- maybe day 7 and 10?) This is the same in every city across China- the pollution is insane.
They are not being environmentally responsible, they just dont celebrate that particular holiday (Jan 1) with fireworks.
Here is what CNY looks like in Beijing-

You are right. If they are really serious on making their country green, they would not use fireworks too on their Chinese New year or use much lesser fireworks. Hmmm... Will see if how their CNY celebration this year.

[Pushhyarag2000]

Alli, on 04 January 2012 - 12:23 AM, said:

The Chinese do not generally celebrate the traditional January 1st New Year. They do TONS of fireworks on the Chinese New Year- which falls at the end of January this year (it moves each year.) Beijing does not allow the sale of fireworks during the late December period- only from the period beginning a couple of weeks before Chinese New Year until the end of the holiday (which lasts 2 weeks)- shooting fireworks is prohibited except for the two week period during CNY. During that time it is insane- the air is literally brown from the pollution. The fireworks begin on CNY eve and are absolutely crazy from about 11 pm until 1am- and some straggle on through the early morning. Then the performance repeats every night throughout the two weeks- some days are heavier than others (I don't recall which, though- maybe day 7 and 10?) This is the same in every city across China- the pollution is insane.
They are not being environmentally responsible, they just dont celebrate that particular holiday (Jan 1) with fireworks.
Here is what CNY looks like in Beijing-

It used to happen this same way here in India for about two days during a traditional annual festival. But its on the wane-and significantly. In fact it is a delightful surprise that majority of the people have realized the hazards and are either not resorting to huge fireworks or are very conscious both about the quantum & types. It is rare to see people making common cause with such socio-environmental issue.

[Shortpoet-GTD]

Raise your hand if you know
that, without trees, we wouldn't have gun powder (black powder).

[Mon-Jes]

Shortpoet-GTD, on 07 January 2012 - 02:55 AM, said:

Raise your hand if you know
that, without trees, we wouldn't have gun powder (black powder).

<keeps both hands down>

Nope, didn't know that.

Speaking of New Year, I hope y'all had a good one.

I will believe that China as a whole is becoming concerned with the environment when they do something about the everyday pollution. I totally believe there are many, many people in China who are currently concerned with the environment, but until the government there steps in and lessens the regular air pollution permanently and not just for special events like the Olympics. Maybe they've already started, I don't know, but I haven't seen anything mentioned in places like the BBC, which would normally carry news like that.