Which offers a more costly, environmentally-friendly, and impressive spectacle: Fireworks or Drones? - Is a drone show more costly, eco-friendly, impressive, and entertaining than fireworks?
Fireworks vs. Drone Shows: Which Offers a Greener, More Cost-Effective Spectacle for Festivals?
The debates around summer festivals take a turn towards the use of fireworks. With the ongoing drought and increasing concerns for the environment, organizations are considering alternatives such as drone shows and light shows.
This year's Midsummer Night in Mainz will forgo fireworks in favor of a music-accompanied drone show. Despite the higher costs, around twice as much compared to fireworks displays, organizers see it as a more sustainable choice. At the "Rhein in Flames," festival-goers can expect a combination of traditional fireworks and a drone show, marking the first organized drone display for the event.
The German Federal Association for the Environment and Nature Conservation (BUND) urges festivals such as the Schiersteiner Harbor Festival in Wiesbaden to follow suit. Wiesbaden's harbor, situated near a European bird protection area and nature reserve, is a highly sensitive location. The Frankfurt Museum Embankment Festival, however, plans to continue its fireworks display.
Fireworks raise concerns for both the environment and public safety. They produce waste and harmful substances, like perchlorate, contributing to soil, water, and air pollution. Perchlorate, while water-soluble, can still have detrimental effects on plants, animals, and humans. The fireworks industry, however, argues that these substances are only released during the ten minutes of the display annually.
The implementation of fireworks depends on weather conditions. Organizers make decisions in close coordination with participating security organizations, including the police and fire brigade. Pets and wildlife, such as birds and mammals, are prone to stress caused by fireworks. They may flee, leave their shelters, and become disoriented during the displays.
While fireworks have been a staple in festivals, drone shows demand a substantial budget. Thomas Fischer, Managing Director of Beisel Pyrotechnik, notes that a show with 50 or 100 drones can become repetitive, and the costs of thousands of drones exceed what most organizers can handle. Instead, drones can be used to project symbols, logos, and messages in the sky as supplements to fireworks.
The combination of fireworks and drones might present a solution, according to Fischer. Drone technology can enhance the traditional aspects of fireworks, creating a magical experience without compromising the event's allure. Stefan Weil, creative director and managing director of Atelier Markgraph, agrees and suggests utilizing "drones plus accompaniment."
Other concerns regarding drones include their susceptibility to wind and rain, as well as their relatively high carbon footprint from production. However, the Koblenz city council's Green Party faction argues that drones are a more sustainable choice, given the potential drought and fire hazard risks associated with fireworks.
In terms of cost-effectiveness and environmental impact, drone shows may be the preferred choice for folk festivals in the long run due to their reusability and lower carbon footprint. Nevertheless, the higher initial costs of setting up a drone show must be considered against the cost of a one-time fireworks display, taking sustainability and long-term savings into account.
- As organizations contemplate greener alternatives for summer festivals, they are evaluating policies such as the community policy and employment policy to address the increased costs associated with drone shows compared to fireworks.
- The debate over the use of technology in entertainment, like the comparison between fireworks and drone shows, is also intertwined with the discussion on education-and-self-development, focusing on the long-term impact of our choices on the environment.
- The shift towards more sustainable options at festivals is not just limited to entertainment; general-news coverage also emphasizes the role of lifestyle choices in conserving resources and minimizing harm to the environment.
