For every Chinese in the world, Chinese New Year is indisputably the most important annual festival. When it comes to Chinese New Year, it is natural to think about all those hearty delicacies, a happy family reunion, inspiring vision of the future and a harmonious and alive atmosphere in the house. But do you know many traditions of Chinese New Year produce PM2.5 to cause severe air pollution? For normal people, a healthy PM2.5 concentration should be below 65.5 ug/m3. According to Li (2013), however, the PM2.5 concentration in a Beijing's air monitoring station is 1593 ug/m3 at 1 am on Chinese New Year Eve! This shocking data is believed to be inextricably linked with many air pollutants released by firework and firecrackers during Chinese New Year. In fact, other traditions like burning incense and "ghost money" to memorialize ancestors also contribute to the increase in PM2.5.
Admittedly, Chinese New Year is an indispensable part in every year for Chinese and Chinese culture is unique and brilliant. Nonetheless, old traditions can be substituted partially by more sustainable and environmentally-friendly traditions to celebrate Chinese New Year so that we can have a pretty natural environment. Let us protect the environment and enjoy the festival by acting more responsibly to the nature!
Reference:
Li, Q. (2012) Send of Firecrackers Lead to PM2.5 Increased to 80 Times in Chinese
New Year's Eve of 2012. Beijing Times. [Accessed: 24th January 2012].
If you want to know more about "Nian" culture in China, here is a helpful video:
Also, here is a video of New Year firework in Beijing:
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