Climate.
The Environmental Impact of Fireworks
On witnessing a spectacle of beauty in Malta, the question arose: is setting fire to the sky a great idea in a climate crisis?
It was a wake-up call. The Sunday morning peace was shattered by the tremor and reverberations characteristic of a loud explosion. Yet no one batted an eyelid. Sure, a few tourists looked around confused but the locals went on with their day.
Petards and fireworks are commonplace in Malta. On this particular occasion, it was part of the celebrations for the Feast of the Shipwreck of Saint Paul, observed each year on the 10th of February.
These celebrations ostensibly commemorate the advent of Christianity in Malta, though one might question whether Saint Paul himself would find much cause for celebration given the circumstances of his arrival.
But I digress. Anyone who has visited Malta, particularly during the summer months, is likely familiar with the loud explosions and colourful displays. Village feasts are ubiquitous across the island, with six, seven, eight, and sometimes even nine different villages hosting celebrations each weekend. This means simultaneous firework displays lighting up the sky over a mere 316 square kilometres of land.
