In the beginning, during festive seasons, we would shoot those small hand-held crackers that gave a timid "braaat" and that would be it. Then things developed to the point of where crackers were put under containers which were then shot into the sky with a loud bang. That wasn't enough, and suddenly as they were not play things anymore, crackers came with serious consequences as they looked, sounded, exploded and reacted like real bombs. The noise was so deafening, it became a problem to the animals in particular.
"At this stage, usually after a session of New Year's inauguration, the earth would have this thick, palpalable cloud of smoke that does not dissipate, floating from the ground, as hot air would, up into the yonder sky. Taking into consideration that New Year is not celebrated at once around the Earth but probably for close onto seventy two hours, my poor Earth is bombarded in a continuous, concentrated form with this noxious poisonous gas that eventually finds itself gnawing at the Ozone layer. The saving grace (sic) is that it probably takes these gasses years or decades to reach the Ozone layer and at that time, even if there is still harm, the concentration has deteriorated, albeit being reinforced by the more ferocious attack every ensuing year.
However, because of the animal and noise complaints, the attacks have been taken to the skies where we are much nearer to the Ozone layer than ever before. Now our crackers are shot into the sky, creating the most beautiful and wonderers sight beheld, yet at what cost? The present crackers have the capacity to light up the sky for long periods of time, creating all these delectable lighting displays, one after the other.
The cost for this indulgence, is the weakening of the earth's natural structure and the inability to regenerate and retain it's continiuum balance, which, we as Earthlings, can ill afford. Forget about occupying another planet. There isn't anywhere else to go yet after we destroy our beloved planet and there is no logical reason to continue to kill the earth either. God(s), having foresight of the destructive power of these crackers, would never advocate the use of them as a form of worship, under any circumstance. These are all the whims of man and has nothing to do with religion per se. A few years ago with the awareness of the danger of these explosives, there was talk of banning them outright in South Africa. The violent reaction that followed because of that intention, was very venomous, filled with threats of civil disobedience because their religion demands (?) it, so it will happen no matter the consequence. And this mainly from the Indian, particularly the Hindu, community.
At the rate we are going in bombarding this Earth, in less than 50 years, global warming, snow conditions, tsunami', (earth) quakes, floods and all natural calamities will be a constant reality. We'll be wearing 'Stil Suits' like in the movie "Dunes", to appease certain religious .fanatics because we did not react timorously to the threat.
Doesn't it seem strange that there are more frequent natural disasters than ever before? We are making this beautiful Earth of ours sick in the way we treat it and most people don't appear to care much about it either. At present, it's like driving a vehicle with one deflated tire and imagine the consequences if that does not get fixed. In the end the vehicle will have to be abandoned because it has become irreparable.
IF WE DON'T STOP, THAT'S WHERE WE'LL FIND OURSELVES.
In conclusion, a solution would be for some computer geek to invent a laser gadget, call it a "Cosmic Flower" or something, that can replicate what the crackers do. At the flip of a button, like search lights, beautiful lighting displays can be reflected and animated into the sky without the noxious gasses and smog. Incorporated into this gadget will be the ability to program the kind of relevant sound desired, with a volume control. Just connect your home theatre speakers. The top would have a slide selection for the kind of display you want. Every year different and more versions (like cellphones), can then be developed.