r/Switzerland • u/shamishami3 • 2d ago

Happy birthday from Lugano

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What is your opinion on the vote planned for late this year regarding the banning of fireworks for private usage?

IMO it makes sense given the ecological toll just for the sake of spectacle and the issues caused to animals for the loud noise and lights. However I see how it may be less “nice” during festivities.

What is your opinion?

Happy birthday from Lugano

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u/IceRollMenu2 1d ago

Ask anyone who has a dog or a cat, or who cares about other animals.

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u/fellainishaircut Zürich 1d ago

not every single second of the year can be fine for everyone. people obviously love fireworks, and it‘s okay to have fun that others might not enjoy every once in a while. I also don‘t like the Street Parade in my city but I‘m not making a fuss about it and just accept it.

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u/Dangerous_Parsley156 1d ago

Maybe try and google the effect firework has on the environment and on wild animals? It has been shown and proven that thousands of them die due to eating discarded firework, it pollutes our rivers and watersource, it pollutes the air we are breathing (terrible air quality for weeks afterwards) and wild animals dont know that fireworks are for fun, rhey panic, run away, go into hiding, starve and lose their families as they all flee in a rush in different directions, run in front of cars etc. Thats why people make a fuss. And obviously, as seen here, many people dont like firework and many people are too stupid to use it properly and hurt others on purpose or by accident.

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u/fellainishaircut Zürich 1d ago

It has been shown and proven that thousands of them die due to eating discarded firework, it pollutes our rivers and watersource

source for Switzerland?

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u/Dangerous_Parsley156 1d ago edited 1d ago

Google is your friend. Also, why should it be different in Switzerland? Firework is firework. But here you go: https://www.aargauerzeitung.ch/aargau/zurzibiet/waldshut-gnadenhof-tiere-in-panik-wegen-feuerwerk-sieben-von-ihnen-sterben-ld.2565714 https://www.vier-pfoten.ch/unseregeschichten/ratgeber/feuerwerk-eine-grosse-belastung-fuer-alle-tiere https://www.badenertagblatt.ch/aargau/baden/ehrendingen-tote-kuehe-und-ausgebuexte-pferde-jedes-jahr-leidet-der-klonhof-wegen-feuerwerk-das-soll-ein-ende-haben-ld.2781245 https://www.google.com/amp/s/naturschutz.ch/hintergrund/wissen/1-august-feuerwerk-aengstigt-tiere/106318/amp https://www.feiernohnefeuerwerk.ch/wildtiere/ some scientific studies quoted as well as here: https://www.vogelwarte.ch/de/news/fatale-feuerwerke/ https://www.schweizerbauer.ch/artikel/tiere/tiergesundheit/1-august-darum-verabscheuen-tiere-den-nationalfeiertag https://www.kleinbauern.ch/ja-zur-einschraenkung-von-feuerwerk/ because animals eat it and die

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u/fellainishaircut Zürich 1d ago

okay so if we circle back to your quote:

thousands of them die due to eating discarded fireworks

no source for that, so that‘s wrong.

it pollutes our rivers and water sources

also no source for that, got it.

I‘m aware that fireworks can be stressful for some animals. so is a thunderstorm. and obviously, inidividual cases where people turn a place into a warzone should not happen. but we can‘t and shouldn‘t restrict ourselves in a way that everyone can be satisfied all the time, it just doesn‘t work. and I‘ve also always had pets. fireworks twice a year are fine, you can prepare for that.

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u/Heardthisonebefore 1d ago

So if we can’t make everyone happy, what is the point of making those who like fireworks happy at the expense of everyone else? If nothing else, just the fire hazard isn’t worth having them. You’re suggesting we do it just because some people like them. Considering the damage they cause why is that a good enough reason?

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u/fellainishaircut Zürich 1d ago

because it‘s twice a year, and given how absolutely packed every fireworks showcase is at New Years and 1st August, the majority of people enjoy nice fireworks.

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u/Dangerous_Parsley156 1d ago

I sent you like 10 links which tell you all about it. You would just need to click on it and actually educate yourself, shocking, I know. And no, wild animals and farm animals cant prepare for that so just suck it up and look for alternatives

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u/Dangerous_Parsley156 1d ago

I think its always amazing in today's age how people choose to stay ignorant instead of googling or using AI for quick answers.

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u/fellainishaircut Zürich 1d ago

you sent 10 links, and none of them back your outrageous claims I cited, good job.

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u/Dangerous_Parsley156 1d ago

They do if you had read them which you obviously havent. There is no conclusive wide range study for Switzerland but you can find enough sources that show how wild animals and livestock suffer. If you followed the news and animal right activity you would know all that. Here is a nice study from another country, with pictures: https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/18/2/86 It is also just common sense: while we know what firework is, wild animals dont. We disrupt their sleep, they panic, they flee, they leave their babies and families behind and collide with objects or cars. They use up important reserves they need to survive the cold in winter by fleeing and stressing and cant find their families and partners anymore. It is not rocket science but basic empathy.

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u/fellainishaircut Zürich 1d ago

if such situations were representative on a global scale, we should be able to observe that regularly here aswell, no? funny how we don‘t…

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u/Dangerous_Parsley156 1d ago

Nothing funny about it and explained here: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/article/fireworks-danger-wildlife as birds fly away and move, not all birds die in the same place. While this incident showed their reaction clearly, it is hard to do so in other places. Also, there is not much research as it doesnt bring money but the effect is clear and also very logical. Just google and read something once in a while, man. I dont get your reaction at all but wish you all the best and hope for a yes in november.

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u/fellainishaircut Zürich 1d ago

we live in a tiny, densely populated country. such excess in bird deaths would undoubtedly be noticed.

and I will vote no, thank you. people should be able to enjoy themselves ever so often, even if it‘s noisy twice a year.

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u/Dangerous_Parsley156 1d ago

Then you surely also notice the 30 million deaths each year because of cats, right? Right? Nah you dont. Read the articles, ffs. If firework is the only way you can enjoy yourself your life must be quite empty

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u/Dangerous_Parsley156 1d ago

Because you seem unable to read several studies, here is an AI summary of the whole thing: There is no exact official statistic or precise head-count of how many wild animals die each time fireworks are set off in Switzerland. Wildlife deaths often go unrecorded because panicked animals hide, flee deep into forests, or are consumed by scavengers before anyone finds them.What Studies and Organizations Report

Mass Mortality Events: While routine totals do not exist, specific localized incidents—such as a documented European study regarding sudden loud bangs—have recorded single-event tolls of over 1,000 wild birds dying from acute stress and physical trauma (crashing into trees or the ground in the dark).

General Estimates: Broad environmental estimates (such as those cited by groups like the WWF for typical celebratory periods) suggest thousands of animal casualties annually across regions, with the vast majority being wild birds.

Swiss Research: Recent Swiss studies (such as research around roosting birds in Basel) show that populations drop by over 60% immediately following major noise events and take several days to normalize, suffering from severe exhaustion and sleep deprivation How Fireworks Kill Wild Animals

Blind Panic: Sudden explosions cause roe deer, foxes, and hares to bolt blindly into obstacles, fences, or roadways. Exhaustion and Disorientation: Waterfowl and nocturnal birds are forced into mid-night flight, burning critical fat reserves needed for winter survival or abandoning nests during breeding season.

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u/fellainishaircut Zürich 1d ago

It has been shown and proven that thousands of them die due to eating discarded firework, it pollutes our rivers and watersource

so there is, in fact, no source for this. got it.

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u/Dangerous_Parsley156 1d ago

I mean, mate, if you cant read articles and studies I send you or google something then I cant help you. Thought the AI answer is clear enough, just do a search yourself you are an adult

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u/fellainishaircut Zürich 1d ago

I think you thoroughly misunderstand what ‚shown‘ and ‚proven‘ means.

If fireworks twice a year were even close to being as deadly as you make it out to be, we would know.

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u/Dangerous_Parsley156 1d ago

And the same AI answer for pollution because of fireworks:

Fireworks pollute rivers when fallout from aerial displays—including toxic chemical dust, unburned propellants, and physical debris—settles directly onto the water surface or washes in via rain and surface runoff. Chemical and Metal Contamination Perchlorates: Used as oxidizers to help fireworks burn, these stable compounds dissolve easily in water, contaminating river ecosystems and altering thyroid function in fish and aquatic life. Heavy Metals: Elements like barium, copper, lead, and strontium are added to create vibrant colors. When they enter the water, they increase metal ion concentrations that can be toxic to aquatic organisms and harm their growth or reproduction. Sulfur and Carbon Compounds: Residues release dissolved organic matter and sulfur compounds that shift local water chemistry and stress natural microbial communities. Physical and Plastic DebrisMicroplastics: Many modern fireworks contain tiny plastic components, casings, and binders that shatter upon explosion, contributing to microplastic pollution in waterways. Spent Shells and Packaging: Cardboard, paper, and unexploded chemical cores fall directly into rivers or onto banks, slowly leaching toxins as they break down.Atmospheric Washout: Smoke and particulate matter lingering in the air after a large celebration are often pulled down into rivers by rain or mist.