# Understanding the Environmental Damage From Fireworks

- Link: https://greenlivingguy.com/2022/03/understanding-the-environmental-damage-from-fireworks/
- Published: 2022-03-30T08:03:40-04:00
- Author: greenlivingguy

The Fourth of July is just around the corner, and you’re likely looking forward 
to seeing a spectacular display with your loved ones. Although it’s a fun tradition,
the colorful explosives aren’t good for the planet. Here are some facts that will
improve your understanding of the environmental damage from fireworks so you can
rearrange your holiday plans as necessary.

![Understanding the environmental damage from fireworks](https://i0.wp.com/greenlivingguy.
com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/mike-enerio-se4RWwpqAMk-unsplash.jpg?resize=420%2C280&
quality=52&ssl=1 "Understanding the Environmental Damage From Fireworks - The Green
Living Guy")

## **1. Fireworks Create CO2**

Whether you want to watch a massive [fireworks](https://greenlivingguy.com/2022/03/environmental-justice-leader-mustafa-ali-to-review-justice40-initiative-at-bipoc-climate-justice-dialogue/)
show or buy a pack to use in your backyard, each option will require carbon. Production
teams pack it into each firework to make the timed explosions happen. The carbon
[releases CO2 and intensifies global warming](https://ijpot.com/scripts/IJPOT%20April-June_2020.pdf#page=26)
when it burns by adding carbon dioxide to the blanket covering the planet.

## **2. They Require 󠀁[Fossil Fuel](https://greenlivingguy.com/2022/02/greenpeace-us-responds-to-fossil-fuel-industry-plans-to-grow-plastic-demand/)󠁿 Transportation**

Americans buy just over [$1.5 billion in fireworks every July](https://wallethub.com/blog/4th-of-july-facts/22075),
which requires shipping for each purchase. Semitrailers and planes carry them to
each state with engines that burn fossil fuels. It adds more CO2 to the atmosphere
and drains the planet of natural resources. Anyone who chooses not to buy fireworks
will stop contributing to this environmental damage.

## **3. They Spark Fires**

You may only have happy memories of fireworks shows. It doesn’t erase the fact that
they cause [$43 million in annual fire damage](https://rirestoration.com/fire-damage-from-fireworks-and-the-restoration-process/)
around the country. Even if they don’t spark wildfires, any burned patches of grasslands
or woods ruin local habitats that support a healthy ecosystem. It’s much safer to
help wildlife by avoiding explosives for holiday recreational activities.

## **4. They Ruin Local Air Quality**

There’s always smoke that drifts away in the wind when a firework explodes. You 
may not see it in the darkness until the next burst casts it in colorful lights.
The smoke contains particulate matter that remains in the air until people and animals
inhale it. It doesn’t go away like the trails of smoke from fireworks. It lingers
until it sticks inside the lungs and hurts everyone’s health.

Air pollution from factories and vehicles already [affects 120 million Americans every year](https://environment.co/how-does-air-pollution-affect-global-warming/),
[exacerbating conditions](https://greenlivingguy.com/2013/05/fire-vs-data-understanding-wildfire-management/)
like pneumonia and asthma. Adding more particulate matter only makes the problem
worse. Avoiding fireworks allows the air to stay a bit cleaner and makes filtering
efforts more successful.

## **5. They Accompany Grilling**

Tradition dictates that everyone enjoys freshly grilled burgers and hot dogs before
attending a fireworks show. However, this adds to existing environmental damage.
Charcoal and gas grills create more harmful CO2 and may continuously produce it 
if the grilling lasts all day. Many people contribute to this problem by hanging
out next to the grill for longer than necessary.

Meat also hurts the planet. Every pound of ground beef [requires 1,799 gallons of water](https://www.latimes.com/food/dailydish/la-dd-gallons-of-water-to-make-a-burger-20140124-story.html)
to grow the feed for cows, keep them hydrated and process the meat. That’s a significant
amount of a limited resource for a global industry. Opting for vegetarian or vegan
options is an excellent compromise if you want to enjoy a meal before a fireworks
show without harming the environment.

## **6. They Emit Ozone**

Fire instigates the chemical processes needed to make a fireworks display. A recent
study of low- and high-energy fireworks found that [both emitted ozone (O3)](https://www.hj.sdu.edu.cn/Xu2018Ozone.pdf)
at the point of combustion. It’s a greenhouse gas that gets less attention than 
CO2, but it’s an equally bad pollutant. Many people don’t realize it’s a guaranteed
effect of their patriotic traditions.

## **Understand the Environmental Damage From Fireworks**

The planet will become a better place to live when more people understand the [environmental damage](https://greenlivingguy.com/2019/03/increasing-toxicity-of-algal-blooms-tied-to-nutrient-enrichment-and-climate-change/)
from fireworks. Anyone can reduce their carbon emissions, prevent wildfires and 
improve air quality by creating new sustainable traditions in place of fireworks
this year.

**Bio:**

Jane is the Editor-in-Chief of Environment.co and an environmental writer covering
green technology, sustainability and environmental news.

![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/df91669667126e1290c21ee0342c386e2da19d588d4d9ca6560bd82ed59a9641?
s=300&d=monsterid&r=g)

 greenlivingguy

 The Green Living Guy, Seth Leitman is an independent power producer, a green living
expert, and Editor of the McGraw-Hill, TAB Green Guru Guides. Seth is also an Author,
Radio Host, Reporter, Writer and an Environmental Consultant on green living. The
Green Living Guy writes about green living, green lighting, the green guru guides
and more. Seth's books range from: # Build Your Own Electric Vehicle by Bob Brant
and Seth Leitman (2nd and 3rd editions) # Build Your Own Plug-in Hybrid Electric
Vehicle by Seth Leitman # Build Your Own Electric Motorcycle by Carl Vogel # Green
Lighting by Seth Leitman, Brian Clark Howard and Bill Brinsky # Solar Power For 
Your Home by David Findley # Renewable Energies For Your Home by Russel Gehrke #
Do-it-Yourself Home Energy Audits by David Findley # Build Your Own Small Wind Power
System by Brian Clark Howard and Kevin Shea # and more green living books to follow.

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