"What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make." 

-Jane Goodall

Hi! My name is River and I’m 10 years old. Every year, our town does a fireworks show for the 4th of July. I have a very big concern about the impact of fireworks, and I hope that after reading this petition, it will become your concern as well. 

Fireworks are extremely bad for the environment, pets, wildlife and even people, and I have the facts to prove it as you’ll see below. I am starting this petition for my town, Aberdeen, to do a drone show instead. Drone shows are not bad for the earth and offer a safer and more creative way to celebrate. A drone show is just as magical as a firework show, if not more fun, exciting, and beautiful. Many of us love looking into the night sky on the 4th of July, but it comes at a serious cost. Not only do wildlife flee their nests, pets run away from home, some neurodivergent children cannot participate in the fun due to the loud bangs which also affect veterans with PTSD and more concerns listed below. A drone show is a harmless, soundless, way to keep the wonder we all feel but is safe for everyone and everything. 

Here are the facts I found on websites like National Geographic:

• On the night of July 4th, fine air particulate matter (PM2.5) nationwide spikes by an average of 42%.
• Air monitors near local firework displays have recorded immediate pollution spikes up to 370% above normal, safe breathing limits.
• Fireworks launch carcinogenic heavy metals like barium, copper, strontium, and lead into the air, which settle into local soils and municipal water supplies.
• Pyrotechnics are an inherent fire risk; stray sparks routinely cause roof fires and spark thousands of wildfires annually
   
• Animal shelters report a 30% to 60% increase in lost pets between July 4th and July 6th, making July 5th the busiest day of the year for shelters.
• The abrupt lights and sounds cause wild birds to permanently abandon their nesting sites or fly into trees and buildings in the dark out of sheer panic.
• Bird activity increases by up to 1,000% during fireworks. A radar study in Europe found that the number of birds flying at night increased 10-fold (1,000%) during major fireworks displays compared to normal nights. Birds also flew significantly higher and farther from their roosts, indicating panic responses that can increase energy expenditure and the risk of collisions. 
• 1 in 4  veterans report distress during fireworks shows that can become full fledged panic attacks
• Fireworks leave toxic litter behind; contaminants can be found in nearby lakes and waterways after firework events.
• Improper use causes severe burns or loss of fingers.
• Sound levels often go over 150 decibels, which can hurt human ears.
• Plastic and paper trash stay on the ground and in local water.
• Fireworks leave behind measurable pollutants including heavy metals, paper and plastic debris, perchlorate residues in some cases; these contaminants have been detected in nearby lakes and waterways after fireworks events.
• The smoke makes it hard for people with asthma or lung illness to breathe.

and I'm sure there are more harmful impacts on communities, people, pets and wildlife that I missed. 

 

• Why a Drone Show is a Better Investment

 

• Complete safety: Professional drone shows utilize automated fail-safes and tight geofencing, carrying virtually zero fire or injury risk compared to explosive pyrotechnics.
• Custom storytelling: While fireworks only offer scattered colors, a drone show can project unique, animated 3D sequences such as the town logo, historical timelines, or custom tributes.
• Community consensus: In trauma-impact surveys, 63.2% of people explicitly stated they prefer light or drone shows over traditional explosive fireworks.
• Both children and adults with sensory processing disorders and neurodiversities that make them sensitive to loud sounds can participate in the fun 
• Families will not be at risk of losing their pets on what is supposed to be a celebratory evening
• Those with asthma and other lung issues can breathe easy 
• Homeowners do not have to fear roof fires

and again, I'm sure there are more reasons to support this switch that I have not listed here.

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The facts don’t lie. It’s clear: Fireworks cause heavy air pollution, scare pets, create high fire risks, and harm wildlife, veterans, children and our precious environment with loud noises and toxic chemical fallout.

I understand why everyone loves this tradition. I enjoyed fireworks for many, many years until just this year, I realized how bad they are for the earth. It makes sense if you might still enjoy them even if you sign my petition. It's ok we didn't have this information for so long and found a way to celebrate, but now that we have the science to support a change to something more inclusive and safe,  I don't understand why they are continuing a way to celebrate that they know  is awful for everyone; even humans. 

I feel a bit alone, and I have been passionate about wildlife since I was very little. This is the biggest problem I have tackled so far in my life, and I need your help to make this happen. Please consider joining me by signing my petition. I can’t do this alone, and I need as much help as I can get, so please, after you sign, share this with as many people as possible.