We are at the brink of a climate catastrophe.

My name is Jaya and I celebrate Diwali but without the fireworks. When I was a little girl, I loved fireworks and then I connected the dots and realised, my small moment of enjoyment had an impact far greater than me. So I stopped.

Now when I hear fireworks going off, I think about the air pollution, noise pollution and the littering. Air pollution is one of the leading threats to child health. Globally 1 in 10 children die (WHO).

I think about the local wildlife and domestic pets. 45 percent of dogs show signs of fear when they hear fireworks (RSPCA)

I think about vulnerable people living in the community. People who have fled war torn countries, the sounds of the fireworks reminding them of everything they have lost. 

I think about the pressure on our NHS / A&E / Fire brigade services due to firework related injuries and incidents.

The solution

We need the government to legislate to ban domestic use of fireworks. It is as simple as that. 

Let us all celebrate in peace without leaving a trail of destruction.