— from Cathy Ellis —

Perhaps some year in the near future, we as a community might find an alternative to our usual Eastsound 4th of July celebration. Keep the party, yes, perhaps do a brilliant laser show instead, which could still be awesome, big, bright, fun!

Or, initiate a slight change, switch to fireworks that are set off by compressed air, not gunpowder.

Or, let’s go further. Our holiday celebration is made of giant flammable objects, exploding for sheer joy. Explosions remind me of war, not joy. Besides the negative effects to wildlife, smoke and ash in the air contain a variety of heavy metals.

Let’s ask ourselves…..Is a short display of pyrotechnic entertainment really worth needlessly polluting our environment?

By switching to laser shows, as some communities have done, would at least remove the debris falling into the ocean, as well as the noise pollution for our wildlife. Can we be sensitive to our native species? Can we avoid the mess left behind from the fireworks fall-out, in our Sound and on our beach at Waterfront Park.

Last July 4th, at midnight, just after the end of Eastsound’s fireworks, a friend and I paddled kayaks into the sound, near Indian Island; we noted lots of fall-out debris.  It was disgraceful–numerous tiny bits of plastic debris from our “joyful” explosions.

I have no idea if fireworks actually frighten the native species that are living, foraging, nesting, singing, breeding, sleeping in or near Eastsound. But, if our pets are any indicator, these events are a big stressor. This yearly “fun” is an explosive, noisy, bright, unpredictable, negative pollution event to all creatures. The health-related stress it potentially causes is unimaginable, let alone the accumulation of toxic fall-out.

It is also hard for me to forget the serious problems associated with people (including kids) in third world countries who make these explosives. The downside of pyrotechnics is carnage. Structure fires, skin burns, mangled digits and death come with the production. China produces more than any other country. They use more of them then we do. So this production-carnage cycle will continue. I simply prefer that my community not be part of it.

Don’t forget the unacceptable number of people who injure themselves here at home with personal firework “fun”.  As an ER nurse in Oregon for 30 years, there were too many of these “accidents” during this holiday.

Eventual changes in our annual 4th of July fireworks celebration could be a move toward “sustainability,” a word used often these days. But words and talk are easy. There is nothing sustainable about creatures who have their entire world temporarily exploding over them…confusing, startling sights, sounds and smells, negative effects some species can ill afford.

Any changes toward more culturally appropriate activities would say something about our community. Neighbors and visitors alike are here because we love the natural beauty. We can show we really do care about the creatures we share our world with. We can “walk our talk”.

So let’s start this community conversation now. Perhaps future 4th of July celebrations can be safer for our wild critters, while at the same time continuing to bring tourist business and guests.

Let’s move toward being more sensitive citizens of our modern world, starting here at home, next 4th of July.

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