DR GABRIELLE HOSEIN

THIS COLUMN may appear to be a month early, but on July 22, the Environmental Management Authority published a notice pointing the public to its Position Paper on the Management of Fireworks in TT, which recommends that traditional noise-producing fireworks should be banned.

Though published last year, the paper remains a useful stepping stone in the citizen-led journey to change legislation and informal neighbourhood practices regarding fireworks.

It's important because, as we return to pre-pandemic ways of operating - whether in terms of schooling, traffic, governance or the economy - we are going back to being just as out-of-sync with public good as we were before. While pandemic protocols meant that fireworks were disallowed last year, come August 31, we are back to the same-old, same-old.

The movement to reduce and ban fireworks has taken hold over the past decade as fireworks companies profited without a care for those at their mercy, such as the ill, elderly, infants, people with disabilities, and both pets and wildlife.

Supply creates demand. Soon, excess noise at all hours, on nights of Divali, Christmas, Independence and Old Year's, was the norm. There were no time limits or zoning, and everyone with money to burn forgot we share a landscape with others who are affected by our every irresponsibility.

The groundswell to make us more considerate has come from animal welfare organisations and a diverse array of citizens. Zookeepers have been calling for state action for years. It's insane to have fireworks ricocheting off the Northern Range above the heads of so many terrified and caged animals. Who can forget the imported baby kangaroo that (allegedly) died of terror in 2019?

Before you jump to the conclusion that this movement is frivolous, just about the environment, a lesser issue than food prices or without any hope of national impact, keep in mind that one person's house caught fire as a result of fireworks at the beginning of the year.

In January, under the old AG, comments were sought on 'the fireworks bill,' which citizen stakeholders widely considered to be unacceptable. Today, with the economy in tatters, we have a strong argument to make about fireworks as a poor use of foreign exchange. About US$1.6 million was spent between 2012 and 2017.

This is a movement that will eventually win, because enough people are affected when noise is too late in the night and too much. It's a matter of consistent pressure and public education over time. It typically takes decades to secure any sensible change in this place, including (and especially) in relation to legislation and its implementation, but giving up isn't how anything is ever achieved.

So why this column this week? First, according to the Minister of Communications, the Government hasn't yet 'revealed' its plans for celebrating independence this year. You can support activists who are already calling for the State to act responsib