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LETTER: Drone show better than fireworks for many reasons

Because of pollutants and noise associated with fireworks, a drone light show is a better option, according to letter writer
Letter to the Editor
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CollingwoodToday welcomes letters to the editor at [email protected] or via our site. Please include your daytime phone number and address (for verification of authorship, not publication). The following letter was in response to the drone light show put on by the Collingwood Downtown BIA during Sidelaunch Days and a letter suggesting the drone show was 'underwhelming.'

I respectfully disagree with the opinion that the drone show at the Collingwood harbour on Saturday night was underwhelming and that the town should instead use fireworks in the future.

I thought the drone show was a creative and innovative way to celebrate a special occasion. The drones were able to create complex and beautiful patterns in the sky. I also appreciated that the show was much quieter than fireworks, which is important for people with sensory sensitivities and for animals.

I understand that some people may have been disappointed with the drone show because it was not as flashy or loud as a fireworks display. However, I believe that the environmental and animal impacts of fireworks are much more concerning than the underwhelming nature of a drone show.

Fireworks release harmful pollutants into the air, including particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen oxide. These pollutants can contribute to air pollution and climate change. 

Studies have shown an increase in pollutants in the air following holidays where fireworks are common in celebrations.

The most common pollutants emitted by fireworks include:

  • Particulate matter (PM): PM is a mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets that can be inhaled into the lungs. PM can cause respiratory problems, heart disease, and cancer. (PM is nearly always present, but can cause issues when excessive.)

  • Sulfur dioxide (SO2): SO2 is a gas that (in excess) can irritate the lungs and contribute to acid rain.

  • Nitrogen oxides (NOx): NOx are gases that can react with other pollutants in the air to form smog and ground-level ozone. Ozone (in excess) can cause respiratory problems, heart disease, and premature death.

For these reasons, I believe that the drone show at the Collingwood harbour was a much more sustainable and animal-friendly option than fireworks. I hope that the town will continue to explore innovative ways to celebrate special occasions without using fireworks.

Jody LaPlante
Collingwood, Ont.