Good morning,
Shiny, radiant lights accompany us through the next days and nights. Candles on the Advent wreath and Christmas tree, glowing stars and fairy lights on windows and sometimes around the whole house. At the end of the year there are many atmospheric and special moments of reflection, which we are happy to support with lighting.
Many people are already looking forward to a special spectacle – the New Year's Eve fireworks with which we say goodbye to the old year. For some people, golden showers, ball rockets or air howlers are the crowning glory of the year, for others it's just noise, smell and environmental pollution.
In fact, the contrasts when it comes to fireworks could hardly be greater. The impressive glow and flashing that many people watch with beaming faces is contrasted by chemical waste, heavy metals, fine dust clouds and noise pollution. That's why a rethink is beginning in many places – from complete abstinence to alternative light shows.
The Frisian community of Wangerland is celebrating the turn of the year for the third time at the Wadden Sea, a UNESCO world natural heritage site, without fireworks. At the “Wangerländer Deichleuchte” people meet at midnight on the dike line and welcome the New Year with environmentally friendly lights – without rockets and firecrackers. A measure to protect this unique nature and its wildlife and to promote more mindfulness.
But even large cities like Nice are increasingly turning to alternatives to traditional fireworks for major events. “Drone shows” are becoming real competition.
12/21/2024 | 29:47 mins
The plan-b documentation “Fireworks of the Future – Beautiful New Year’s Eve Alternatives” accompanied one of these breathtaking drone events in the southern French city. The result: no chemical or other waste, no fine dust pollution, the electricity for the drone batteries largely comes from environmentally friendly production, and noise pollution is significantly lower. And best of all: the audience is just as enthusiastic as at the classic fireworks display.
The Austrian city of Zell am See has found another alternative to make New Year's Eve a little quieter and cleaner. Light and water installations as a substitute for fireworks. The “Zeller Seezauber” has become a real recipe for success. The water features could only be started, with essential environmental aspects being taken into account. Such shows have now significantly reduced traditional fireworks displays in several Austrian communities. Preserving tradition and making New Year's Eve more sustainable is also possible.
I wish you a lot of confidence and a merry Christmas.
Your Christian Dezer, editorial director plan b
What was still good this week
Mussels as water testers: Many types of mussels, such as mussels, clams and scallops, can release pollutants into the sea. When the water quality decreases, the muscles open and close at a different rhythm. French bioengineers are now using this special property to determine water quality. Using special magnets on the mussel shells, the opening angle of the mussel is recorded by a sensor. The information is forwarded to a server. This allows the experts to recognize exactly when large amounts of pollutants suddenly appear. According to the developer, the system is up to 100 times more sensitive than conventional sensors for checking water quality.
Free taxi vouchers in Cologne: There is a new initiative in Cologne to enable people aged 16 and over with the gender entry “female” or “diverse” to get home cheaply and safely at night. As of this week, 1,500 vouchers can be picked up in nine customer centers in Cologne. These vouchers can be used to travel with a taxi company between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. The project has a budget of 15,000 euros.
Homeless people as tour guides: In Scotland, homeless people are being trained to become tour guides. The aid organization “Invisible Cities” currently employs 20 tour guides and has helped around 150 people return to normal life since 2016. The aid organization is active in Edinburgh, Glasgow and now also in England and Wales. During their tours, the tour guides leave the classic routes behind and provide an insight into their personal lives.
Your part constructive:
Maybe you don't have a Christmas tree yet and you're still missing the right Christmas paper. Then let the plan b documentation: “It’s a green Christmas – sustainable without plastic and poison” inspire you in your search.
12/21/2023 | 30:12 mins
