It caps a year marked by heightened climate awareness following massive "Fridays for Future" demonstrations and a summer of record-high temperatures and severe droughts. Germany's fireworks festivities release some 5,000 tonnes of fine particulate matter into the air on a single night -– equivalent to about two months of road traffic, according to federal environment agency UBA. Fine dust particulate matter is a major contributor to air pollution and is harmful to both human and animal health. Many German cities have already created firework-free zones, to help the environment but also out of noise and safety concerns. Fireworks sales are strictly regulated in Germany and only allowed on the final three working days of the year.

Source: The Local December 27, 2019 11:37 UTC