Drones have been replacing fireworks in the US and China to mark important events by providing spectacular scenes in the night sky.
In the US some cities opted for drone shows instead of fireworks to celebrate the Fourth of July, citing the impact traditional pyrotechnics have on the environment.
Salt Lake City and Boulder have joined cities like Lake Tahoe —which has been celebrating its second annual drone show this year— substituting loud, bombastic rockets with quieter, environmentally-friendly drones.
Drone shows are aerial displays that use a fleet of drones —each fitted with brilliant LED lights— to create patterns, shapes and animated scenes in the sky.
Macys 4th of July Drone Show before the fireworks. pic.twitter.com/1LmVRg8V5B
— Anthony (@MetsFreak4Life) July 5, 2023
An alternative to traditional fireworks, the drones offer a customizable form of entertainment, according to the drone company Sky Elements.
Drone shows have an advantage over fireworks for communities concerned over forest fires and other environmental impacts, Rick Boss, the president of Sky Elements Drone Shows, told CBS News. Compared with fireworks, he added, drone shows present significantly less risk.
“Less risk of fire, less risk of damage, less risk of injury,” he said. “When performing a drone show, we ensure no one is within our safety perimeter should a malfunction occur.”
Fireworks, unlike drones, have an environmental impact
Boulder was just one of several communities in Colorado that had drone shows to celebrate America’s Independence Day. Castle Rock and Lakewood also went firework-free, reports CBS Colorado.
In a post on the Castle Rock website, officials highlighted the environmental impact that pyrotechnics can have.
“We know that many look forward to celebrating with fireworks; however, the fallout from a typical July 4 fireworks show poses a significant wildfire risk,” they wrote.
“The dry summers we’ve experienced the past several years have created a high risk of wildfire and resulted in show cancellations.”
Drone show in Redondo Beach. pic.twitter.com/WGQBomHdOL
— Chris Fore (@chriscfore) July 5, 2023
Fireworks cause stress to animals
Many people enjoy the booming sounds and flashing colors of fireworks, but as animal rights groups warn they can be terrifying, overwhelming and hazardous for both wild and domestic animals.
On the Fourth of July, many animals become so frightened by the noise and commotion of fireworks that they run from otherwise familiar environments and people, and sadly become lost.
They may also suffer devastating or even fatal health effects from the stress. The sudden bright flashes and sounds can cause wild animals to run into roadways, resulting in more car accidents than normal.
Wildlife rehabilitation centers are often flooded with traumatized, injured and orphaned wild animals after the holiday.
Drones replace fireworks in China
Around 1,500 drones lit up the night sky over the Chinese city of Shenzhen on 22 June with imagery of a flying dragon to mark the start of the country’s Dragon Boat Festival.
The synchronized display showed images of a whale, fish, dragon boat, eagle and solar system, to go with the dragon boat. Writing on LinkedIn, author and AI expert Pascal Bornet said it was the best drone show he had ever seen.
China’s drone industry reached an annual turnover of $14bn in 2022, with Shenzhen accounting for more than 70% of the world’s consumer drones and 50% of its industrial drones, according to the Shenzhen Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Industry Association.
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