AIBU to object to balloon and lantern memorial releases for environmental reasons ?

I think many people are on board with this messaging now- certainly the tide has turned somewhat on MN and on FB in the past few years from what I’ve observed. A lot more people have realised how damaging it is and are speaking about it. Many people just genuinely haven’t given it any thought before and are willing to change their behaviour when given new information. I mean it’s baffling that people don’t think things through. It is second nature to me whenever I buy or use something to always think about environmental impact and potential waste. I think it’s normal to think like that if you care about nature and the planet, but I have to accept that some people don’t ‘watch the film through to the end’ like I do. 😂

Some people, like @BeSunnyLemonSheep, don’t really want to be part of a well-functioning society because they can’t be arsed to make small changes for the benefit of the greater good. They can’t look beyond themselves. We can’t change people like that, only hope that their children will do better.

Your family member is no more with you than they would be if you threw a pebble in a river

this makes me so uncomfortable. I can’t see how people can bang on about bereaved people releasing balloons without recognising they sound like massive cunts.

How does this help your family member be with you?

Why do we need alternatives? Why do you want to launch rubbish into the environment?

It's a terrible thing to do, so harmful to the environment and wildlife. Loads of alternatives which would be a positive, not a negative: plant a tree/bush, buy a bench with a memorial plaque, release bubbles, sprinkle natural confetti, light candles, sponsor a sporting trophy at a local club, set up a scholarship/prize at an education institution, sponsor an animal, encourage people to become donors, donate to worthy causes in their name, have them name written on a RNLI memory lifeboat, pay for a personalised mural/garden in your community etc etc. Basically just use your imagination to do something positive!

Surely they can be with you without a cheap piece of plastic being involved .You could for a walk, read a poem etc

Given some of the other posts from the person who says they love doing this, I can only assume they're a rage bait poster

Go to the pub.

Have an afternoon tea.

Plant flowers or trees. Flower seeds cost pennies per pack.

Have a litter pick.

Go for a sea swim.

Pay to have a name engraved on an RNLI lifeboat.

Have church service.

Have a memorial service without any religious aspect at all.

Many such options, all different financial costs.

No-one with half a brain cell would still do this.

It should be a criminal offence.

But animals don't choke to death or suffocate from those things.....

Yes, releasing this hippopotamus into a crowded shopping centre is unpopular with some people but what's the good alternative I ask?

Sorry but that is terrible thinking.
I am sorry for your loss of a family member but potentially killing wild animals, farm animals and crops will have an effect on everyone.
I assume you like to eat?

But why do you do that when you know the damage it causes? Is adding more litter to the countryside really a fitting way to remember a deceased loved one?
Tell me why you believe it is OK.

I completely agree.

In the grand scheme of things it’s probably one of the least impactful things for which cause environmental harm. There are a whole load of other things I would get bothered about before this, including people driving for very short distances when they could walk, particularly around school playgrounds, people idling their car, people who throw things out of their car window etc

Release white doves if you have to.

Or, alternatively, hold a suitable funeral or memorial and say your goodbyes in a quiet, dignified way.

Alternatives for what.Its just a dangerous fad, nothing necessary about it.

your family member loves to see animals hurt on their behalf ? Strange person to want to commemorate

They are with us in our thoughts and memories.

That is my priority. I do not care about “the environment”.

They are with us, because they are with us in our thoughts and our memories.

I don’t think anything “actually happens”, it’s just a nice release to remember them by.

We each have two balloons to release and there is usually 10-20 of us on each occasion.

No offence but how does that make your family member "with you"?
Do you seriously not understand the danger of balloons and wildlife?

There was a balloon in field I was walking across last night with sheep in. It was sort that had confetti in so there was confetti all over the grass and the balloon remnants. I was surprised as I didn’t think people did that anymore.

Every year we get a thread like this. I’m of the opinion those who disagree won’t change their mind so a bit of a moot point really. It’s not like MPs listen to a word we say so no one will do anything about it.

Your family member isn’t with you though. What do you think actually happens, the balloon floats up to the sky and then what??