平溪天燈節一向是新北市春節重頭戲，在國際媒體《CNN》、《國家地理雜誌》報導的推波助瀾下，今年預計吸引國內外大批遊客前往老街施放天燈。不過這一切看在國內環保團體眼裏是憂心忡忡，擔心天燈燃燒不完全落地後會帶來大量垃圾，再者，新一代天燈無法像傳統天燈能自然分解，恐造成山林負擔。

環境品質文教基金會（EQPF）近日指出，傳統的天燈製作，細竹做框，棉紙當罩，不會太大，內有金紙，澆覆煤油。金紙點燃上昇到天空後，火會順勢燒盡燈身，即使未能燒完就落地，也能自然分解，問題不大。

但是，這種天燈製作的速度趕不上遊客的需求，為求快、求牢，就將竹換成鐵，棉紙也改為塗料紙質，又加上天燈愈做愈大，結果就是天燈很難完全燃燒，落地後，鐵線仍存在，塗料紙質又不易腐爛，這些殘骸遍佈山谷，更甚者，遠颺至山林他處，造成不同災害。

環境品質文教基金會提醒，沒有環境做後盾的文化節慶，難以永續發展，去持續感動人心。

作為台灣重要節慶代表的平溪天燈，在環保工作上應成為領頭羊，地方政府應與當地商家合作，只准販售傳統環保天燈，兼顧觀光與環保。

放天燈的思維與方式，是否可以有所不同？

環境品質文教基金會也提出降低天燈施放對環境危害的其它解決方案，像是鼓勵多人合點一盞天燈，從而降低施放總量，或是政府翻轉「數大便是美」的迷思，鼓勵更多精緻、深度旅遊的規劃。

基金會補充，比起後端鼓勵回收天燈、徵收環保捐等作法，更應該從前端在觀念、形式上都予以調整。例如去年底地方團體規劃成立「新北市平溪天燈永續發展協會」，訂出天燈材質、施放方式、掉落處理SOP，就是很好的第一步。但除此之外，還應該與民眾溝通、傳遞友善環境的理念，讓每場節慶，都有機會成為環境教育的舞台，滿天神佛應該會更樂見這樣的結果。

「南蜂炮，北天燈」，傳統習俗與環保並非不能共存，經濟與環境的角力也不是只有發生在平溪，但隨著社會環境的變遷，做法勢必要有所調整。

看看我們周遭，不是也開始減少焚燒紙錢，漸漸接受心香取代線香，拜拜少點香了嗎？習俗習俗，習慣成俗，剛開始或許有那麼一點不適應，但久了，也許就能習慣了。

The annual Pingxi Lantern Festival has always been the highlight of Lunar New Year’s activities in New Taipei City. It was even praised by CNN and National Geographic magazine as one of the "must-go" festivals in the world, attracting a large amount of travelers from around the world to come join the festive tradition.

However, in the eyes of local environmental groups, the festival is more than just an icon of Taiwanese culture. Environmentalists are worried that sky lanterns are creating too much garbage and damage to the environment, as many of the lanterns launched end up littering the countryside. In addition, these newly designed lanterns often do not decompose naturally on the ground, placing great burdens on the environment.

The Environmental Quality Protection Foundation (EQPF) recently noted that traditional lanterns with thin bamboo stick frames and cotton paper lampshades are made from decomposable materials that can be burnt completely before falling to the ground. However, their supply cannot keep up with the demand as these lanterns are getting increasingly popular.

In order to speed up manufacturing process without compromising on quality, local lantern manufacturers have resorted to unsustainable materials for fabrication - by using metal wires to replace bamboo sticks, and painted paper in lieu of cotton paper. Coupled with the fact that bigger lanterns are gradually in demand, more and more of them fall back to the ground and become litter. What’s worse is that the lighted paper lanterns could also cause serious fire as some of them land on roofs or trees while still burning.

The EQPF cited that cultural festivals as such will only sustain when it is aligned with environmental values. As an important part of Taiwanese cultural tradition, Pingxi Lantern Festival should lead the practice of environmental sustainability. The government should work with local businesses to encourage the selling of environmentally-friendly lanterns, striking a balance between tourism and environmental protection.

The EQPF also suggested measures to reduce the environmental impact of releasing sky lanterns, such as encouraging people to reduce waste by sharing lanterns, as well as recycling them.

More importantly, the foundation said there should be a slightly different mindset in terms of practicing tradition. The New Taipei City Sustainable Development Association for Pingxi Lanterns organized by local civic groups sets a good example as it regulates local business the material of the lanterns, the operating instructions, and SOP for cleaning up the area afterwards. In addition, the foundation suggested the authorities to enhance communication with people on environmental values.

Traditional customs do not necessarily exist at the expense of environmental sustainability. As our social environment quickly changes, certain adjustments should be made in order to keep up the pace. For example, more and more people stop practicing the tradition of burning incense and joss paper, an activity that creates air pollutants and health concerns.

本篇刊載於 台灣主流觀點 名家 狗吠火車文!?

社論：平溪天燈　環保與觀光如何兼顧？(中文)。

Making Pingxi sky lantern festival green and sustainable(英文)。