During the New Year, many countries around the world have a tradition of setting off fireworks. However, in recent years, as environmental awareness has increased, more and more attention has been focused on whether this tradition has a negative impact on wildlife.
Recently, Dutch scientists have studied this and found that setting off fireworks on Chinese New Year's Eve can seriously interfere with the normal life of birds. This discovery provokes us to think about how to balance traditional culture and environmental protection.
Fireworks on Chinese New Year's Eve cause birds to fly widely
The study monitored bird activity and fireworks in several regions of the Netherlands. It was found that when fireworks were set off on Chinese New Year's Eve, the number of bird flights close to the fireworks site increased by more than 1,000 times. Even at a distance of 10 km, the number of birds flying is more than 10 times more than usual. This means that the area affected by fireworks can be more than 6 miles.
It is estimated that nearly 400,000 birds were frightened by fireworks in the study area alone. This large-scale bird disturbance phenomenon can seriously interfere with the normal activities of birds such as foraging and resting. Especially during the cold winter months, birds already need to reduce unnecessary flights.
There are differences in the responses of different species of birds
The study also found that there were significant differences in the response of different species of birds to fireworks. Large wading birds such as geese are very sensitive to fireworks, while some small birds such as chickadees are less responsive to fireworks. This is mainly related to the ecological Xi of birds.
However, due to the huge sound and light effects of fireworks, even birds with weak reactions are difficult to avoid being frightened. This large-scale bird disturbance phenomenon can also disrupt the social structure among birds.
It is recommended to set up a fireworks-free zone and other measures to protect birds
Based on the results of the study, the scientists recommended setting up fireworks-free zones near bird habitats. In addition, fireworks should be limited in urban centers to avoid proximity to bird habitats. Some New Year's shows, which are dominated by drones and lights, also have less impact on birds than traditional fireworks.
These recommendations are very beneficial in protecting bird populations. While preserving the festival culture, we should also pay attention to the potential impact on wildlife. With just a simple adjustment, the disturbance of fireworks to birds can be greatly reduced, and the harmonious coexistence of humans and birds can be realized.
Finally, this study also reminds us that any seemingly innocuous cultural tradition can also have an unintended impact on vulnerable wildlife. While promoting cultural inheritance, we should also protect the natural environment. Scientific research can help us find the right balance between the two.
In fact, the cultural tradition of setting off fireworks on Chinese New Year's Eve has many environmental impacts. Birds are just one of the affected creatures. Dust and exhaust fumes from fireworks have also been reported to pollute the air; The noise generated by the fireworks will cause serious disturbance to the public; Chemicals such as nitrates in fireworks can also leach into the soil and harm vegetation.
Even there are certain risks to human health. Therefore, it is worth pondering whether this tradition is worth continuing today. After all, culture should evolve with the times, and when it causes serious harm to the environment and life, it is necessary to re-examine its meaning of existence.
In response, some environmentalists have called for a complete ban on fireworks. But a more conservative view is that innovative approaches can be made to reduce the environmental impact of fireworks. For example, the development of low-pollution environmentally friendly fireworks, or the use of drones and lasers to create visual effects of fireworks.
Of course, for the unavoidable traditional fireworks display, we can also achieve effective control through scientific guidance. For example, restricting the time and place of fireworks, setting up fireworks-free areas, etc. As long as we work together, we will be able to find a balance between scientific management and control and inheritance and development.
This also puts forward a new issue for our cultural inheritance: how to actively respond to and adapt to the contemporary environment and health demands in the inheritance. We should not simply use "tradition" to imprison our thoughts, but should actively explore ways to innovate.
The proliferation of environmental problems in today's world is a mirror that reflects the blind spots in the development of our culture. Only by facing up to the problem and actively making adjustments and innovations in the inheritance can traditional culture continue to grow and keep pace with the times.
This requires scientific guidance, the joint efforts of the whole society, and the humble listening to nature's feedback, in order to achieve a harmonious state of human development and ecological balance.
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