Last week I talked about a reader question regarding sky lanterns and balloon releases. This is part two to that question where I discuss balloons. You can read the original post here.
A balloon release is much the same as lighting sky lanterns as it is done as a prayer, a memorial, or to mark an occasion. Releasing balloons into the environment poses many problems.
Helium is a natural atmospheric gas but as a land resource, it is in limited supply. There have been some record-breaking balloon releases that have served as an epic waste of this finite resource.
Balloons that are released become litter. They often become tangled in trees and powerlines or fall into areas where animals live and can quickly become an issue. Some balloons are marketed as "biodegradable" but they are not. Latex balloons also do not degrade. It is essentially intentional plastic pollution.
Balloons are the biggest threat to seabirds that mistakingly consume plastic. Balloons are a threat to marine animals who mistake it for a jellyfish or other meal. There have been several cases of cattle, horses, and other livestock that have choked to death after ingesting a deflated balloon that has landed in their field.
Since a picture is worth a thousand words, I posted some below that I found on the website Balloons Blow...Don't Let Them Go! They have a lot of great information as to why you shouldn't release balloons as well as environmentally friendly alternatives.
I'd love to hear from you!
Email me at Mrs.Stebber@gmail.com or comment on the blog
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