Green Future First

Why did I share my story on this Environment Conservation Blog?

The learning that staying close to nature in terms of what we eat, made me more conscious and aware of the power of our natural world. I am now more grateful and respectful towards nature.Eating fresh, local, and seasonal helps the local farmers and the environment. While emissions related to the local transportation of food may not be a huge factor to consider.

So, what is it that is so damaging?

Gunpowder, which is basically 75% potassium nitrate, 15% charcoal, and 10% sulfur, is at the heart of firecrackers. Let’s open it up more. Firecrackers are essentially made up of four components: Oxidisers, fuel, colouring agents and binder.

Who suffers the most?

Everyone. Even if you don’t have any existing ailments. Children particularly are more susceptible, since their defense against particulate matter and other gaseous air pollutants are weak. Also, children engaged in greater physical activity, increasing the intake of polluted air into their lungs. Elders are at risk as well due to weakened lungs.

Are there any alternatives?

If you were looking for ‘eco-friendly’ crackers, get disappointed. It is nothing but a way to still keep crackers in the market. The ‘green firecrackers’ as they are being marketed all around, don’t contain banned chemicals such as lithium, arsenic, barium, and lead. They may emit 30% less of those chemicals and toxic substances, but they still do EMIT! They still affect our bodies.

But how do you explain it to children?

Well, this is an excellent time to educate children about environmental as well as health hazards of crackers and pollution. And children today are much smarter than we think. Teach them the right thing and they’ll do better than you. Teach them the ill effects of pollution, in a realistic manner. Teach them about the human body and how crackers harm them.