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Although fireworks are a staple for celebrations around the world, the explosives almost always contain pollutants like heavy metals, perchlorates, and aerosols, which harm air and water quality. The noise and flashes can startle many organisms, sometimes leading to nesting birds scattering, leaving their young vulnerable to predators. The good news is, there are many alternatives to traditional fireworks shows— making the switch would help protect Florida wildlife and ecosystems. 

Learn More:

• Not just a flash in the pan: short and long term impacts of fireworks on the environment – https://www.publish.csiro.au/pc/Fulltext/PC22040


• Keeping wildlife safe on Independence Day –https://www.fws.gov/story/keeping-wildlife-safe-independence-day


• Birds flee en mass from New Year's Eve fireworks –https://academic.oup.com/beheco/article/22/6/1173/218852#79500851

How You Can Help:

• Search for a "Drone Light Show" or "Laser Light Show" near you to watch instead of doing your own fireworks at home. Or, watch a local city or town's fireworks show.


• Celebrate a firework-less Fourth of July with drones, bubble guns, or confetti cannons - https://www.popsci.com/environment/fireworks-alternatives/


• Consider purchasing quiet fireworks - https://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/01/science/july-4-fireworks-quiet.html

Sources for this Episode:

• Not just a flash in the pan: short and long term impacts of fireworks on the environment – ⁠https://www.publish.csiro.au/pc/Fulltext/PC22040 ⁠


• The impact of fireworks on airborne particles - https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1352231007009685


• Environmental impacts of perchlorate with special reference to fireworks - a review - https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10661-014-3921-4

If you enjoyed this episode, please consider sharing it with a friend who might enjoy learning about Florida's natural areas and the wild things that live here!

If you're active on iNaturalist, consider joining our iNaturalist project, Naturally Florida's Listener Observations, here: ⁠⁠https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/naturally-florida-s-listener-observations⁠