This is a tentative restart to SD after its latest hiatus and today will hopefully bode well for its more consistent appearance if for no reason other than to demonstrate some writing discipline on my part.
Asian nations in particular are currently celebrating the Chinese lunar New Year wherein 2012 is the Year of the Dragon. The Year of the Dragon occurs once every 12 years. Being born in a Dragon Year is considered to be fortuitous and Chinese tradition holds that those born in dragon years tend to be brave, innovative and highly driven, often making it to the top of their profession. The whole Dragon year is supposed to bring prosperity to all who live in China, as explained graphically in this YouTube representation.
The Guardian has an excellent and colorful photo display of celebrations in various locales. Fireworks displays are abundant. This is fitting because fireworks were invented in China and their earliest documentation dates back to the 7th century, when they were used to accompany many festivities. Unfortunately, this year, the fireworks displays may also be accompanied by some hazardous health news, as described in this Guardian article.
Even though China has itself literally become a global commercial and industrial dragon, this status has come at a price, with such activities generating staggering levels of air pollution. The Chinese Government has recently begun to respond to public demands for transparency by publishing hourly readings of PM2.5, which are the tiny particulates released by car exhausts and factory chimneys. These particulates raise the risks of lung diseases, heart problems and dementia. Some international environmental monitors are skeptical of the recent Government measurements published - which are classified as "healthy" in Europe and the US - describing themselves as a "bit suspicious" when monitors other than the Chinese Government show higher levels of air pollution in the same locations.
Pollution readings in major Chinese cities everywhere likely surged as a result of the fireworks displays last night. Many environmental activists are arguing for cities to have a single spectacular fireworks display, as does Hong Kong, rather than allowing individuals to shoot off their own, compounding the pollution, as well as the rubbish, problems. But tradition is always hard to displace or modify. And setting off fireworks is a tradition that is celebrated worldwide for various festivities. Some activists are appealing for alternatives such as electric firecrackers, etc., in order to incorporate tradition with advance technologies.
Because the tradition of fireworks has been around since the 7th century and nearly all children want to experience some facet of it, it will be a particularly difficult tradition to modify, let alone remove. But with the world's population increasing by trillions, some modification must be considered. Otherwise, our celebrations will only continue to poison our own living space.
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