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Firecracker-free New Year's Eve: Woman from Hollenbach fights for environmental protection!
A woman from Hollenbach starts a campaign against New Year's Eve fireworks to protect people, animals and the environment.
Firecracker-free New Year's Eve: Woman from Hollenbach fights for environmental protection!
On December 26, 2025, the debate about New Year's Eve fireworks will be in full swing. Sophia Metzger from Schönbach (Hollenbach) has started an initiative to draw attention to the burdens caused by private firecrackers. For her and many others, eating raclette on New Year's Eve is a tradition, but the noise and dangers of the fireworks give her a headache. “It’s time we raised our awareness of the negative effects of fireworks,” she explains. In Germany, millions celebrate the New Year every year with colorful lights and loud bangs, but the dark side of the spectacle cannot be overlooked. Augsburger Allgemeine reports that the topic of fireworks is politically controversial and that a broad public discussion is being initiated.
Every year, fireworks leave behind not only joy, but also serious health and environmental problems. According to a survey, 59% of Germans would like to see an end to private shooting. The health consequences are alarming: at the turn of the year 2024/2025 there were five deaths and thousands of injuries, mainly among children and bystanders. Four out of ten veterinarians also report an increase in anxiety disorders in animals during New Year's Eve. In view of this situation, there are increasing calls for a ban on fireworks in urban areas. German environmental aid supports municipalities in creating prohibited zones, and many cities, such as Turin and Paris, are already using fine dust-free alternatives.
Environmental damage at a glance
What happens to our air on New Year's Eve? Air quality suffers massively from the fine dust emissions released by fireworks. Every year around 2,050 tons of fine dust are generated by the firecrackers. On New Year's Day, levels often rise to unbearable levels. The Federal Environment Agency explains that air pollution often reaches its highest levels of the year on the first of January. This not only has direct health effects on people, but also has a negative impact on animals, who can become stressed and even injured due to the noise.
Proponents of fireworks often argue that they are part of the New Year's Eve tradition. However, the negative effects cannot be denied. In addition to the health and ecological damage, there are also significant safety risks. In Berlin, for example, there were around 400 fires in 2019 that were caused by fireworks. The critical discussion about the challenges that the New Year's Eve fireworks display brings with it is becoming increasingly louder. Sophia Metzger and her supporters hope to send a strong signal through their campaign.
It is clear that the desire for a more environmentally friendly and safer New Year is very popular among the population. Even if the tradition is deeply rooted, the question remains: Can't we find alternatives that continue to bring us joy without putting a strain on people, animals and the environment? The New Year is just around the corner, and perhaps it's time to rethink old customs.