The 5th of November marks Bonfire night, a UK tradition which celebrates the failure of the Guy Fawkes’ attempt to blow up the Houses of Parliament

Although this night would be described as a fantastic event by most, some may disagree. Fireworks, which are traditionally used to celebrate Bonfire Night, have been proven to have various negative impacts on the environment, people, and animals. Most fireworks release loud noises when set off and these can upset, children, the elderly and especially animals. Some animals such as rabbits can be scared to death while other domestic pets can be extremely panicked due to the sound from fireworks. Additionally, fireworks emit air polluting substances such as sulphur compounds, particulates, and organic compounds. It is estimated that around 5-14% of UK dioxin emissions are produced during Bonfire Night.

Furthermore, bonfires, which are also commonly seen on Bonfire Night (hence the name), produce greenhouse gases which contribute to global warming. Those suffering from respiratory health issues such asthma and bronchitis should take extra caution during this time of year as the smoke can have damaging, potentially fatal, health effects.

So, is it possible to have an eco-friendly Guy Fawkes’ night? Unfortunately, the short answer is no. However, perhaps we should all take an extra effort to try and minimise the damage caused by this tradition. By attending organised displays where the bonfire is built responsibly, and the debris is cleaned up the next day we can hopefully reduce litter and prevent others from trying to build their own, dangerous, bonfires in their back garden. As for fireworks, we can attend crowd events where just one round of fireworks is set of, but many people can watch. This would help decrease the amount of fireworks being bought and set of each year.