BOLZANO. New appeal against the habit of using bangs, firecrackers and firecrackers during the Christmas holidays. The regional WWF raised the alarm and invited us to abandon this dangerous activity, with a note signed by Karol Tabarelli on Fatesdelegate for Trentino-Alto Adige.
“Like every year, as New Year approaches, associations of various types – writes the WWF – wish to bring to public attention the cyclical problem linked to the use of fireworks. Although the fireworks display represents for many a moment of celebration , we cannot ignore the environmental, faunal and social consequences that it entails. The use of fireworks represents a real danger for our forest ecosystems.
Sparks, glowing residue and even simple firecrackers can trigger devastating fires, which destroy hectares of forests, endangering not only biodiversity, but also human communities; forcing – among other things – many professionals and volunteers from the Civil Protection system to take action, when perhaps they would prefer to spend their time with their family.
Wild animals are particularly vulnerable to sudden, violent noises. Fireworks explosions generate panic, inducing dangerous behavior such as uncontrolled escapes which can cause injuries or deaths; in this regard we remember the images of the hundreds of Common Starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) that died in the center of Rome during New Year’s Eve 2021.
Those who live with pets know well the terror that these events can generate in their four-legged friends. The loud noise causes stress, anxiety and, in some cases, real trauma, which can lead to the death of the animal.
For New Year’s Eve 2022, the Italian Association for the Protection of Animals and the Environment indicated how at least 400 dogs and cats died following the attacks throughout Italy.
The fireworks they also have a negative impact on air qualityincreasing the concentration of fine dust (Pm10) and harmful pollutants that we all breathe.
We also remember the risk to people’s safety: fireworks, if handled improperly or used without due precautions, represent a serious danger to people’s safety.
Numerous accidents are recorded every year causing burns, amputations and, in some cases, loss of life. Children and adolescents are particularly vulnerable, often involved in risky situations due to lack of supervision or the use of products that do not comply with safety standards.
All incidents that increase the burden on the healthcare system, which, as we know, is already in trouble in “normal” situations.
We congratulate the many Italian municipalities that have imposed bans for New Year’s Eve, sometimes promoting ecological alternatives that are respectful of fauna and domestic animals and we suggest, at the same time, others to take the same path”, concludes the note from the regional WWF.
(Ansa repertoire photo)