To think mass balloon releases are selfish and should be banned?

[QuestionableMouse]

I've just heard about a mass balloon release in memory of some teens who were killed in a car accident. I hate them and think they're selfish; they're so damaging to the environment (ingesting balloons or the string can lead to a horrible death for both farm and wild animals, including marine life.)

The emoting behind them is lovely, but I hate the fact that they're essentially delayed littering. Releasing bubbles or seeds can do the same thing but without killing wildlife!

The trouble with this issue is that it only takes one heartbreaking story to stop everyone in their tracks, feeling that it’s crass and insensitive to discuss it.

I would love to see them banned and for people to think about other ways to grieve that don’t involve damaging the environment.

I know that @AuntieStella. But if the memorial involved leaving a beach covered in empty cans and plastic bags, no one would defend it.

It's still not okay, however much you mourn your child. And as the years go on, it becomes increasingly indefensible.

"but if yo want to get angry about plastic/rubber/non-biodegradable materials damaging wildlife and the environment, it's a bit odd of you to choose one of the very few examples that might actually hurt someone who is grieving"

Tend to agree. There are many practices and products that could be abandoned or changed, possibly with greater results.

Read an article about a bunch of celebration balloons drifting across the path of an aircraft at London City Aircraft. Such a good way to memorialise a dead person - by nearly causing a plane crash.
I read this too. Nothing says 'I miss you' quite like sending a few more people to join you!

Totally agree. Those bloody Chinese lanterns should be banned too

It's tricky because you don't want to upset grieving people. However, it is littering and causing damage to wildlife. There are better ways - dove releases, bubbles, memorial trees, benches?

Our school wanted to do a balloon release to mark the end of year. We are an eco school in a rural area, surrounded by farmland. I mentioned thilat it wasn't a great udea but was ignored and they fid it anyway. All that latest stuck in the trees and hedgerows for weeks after made me feel saddened, particularly as we always teach children not to leave litter.

YANBU

I'm not a teacher ,and I know you'd want to do all you could to support a grieving family and help children express grief but in the futureu maybe some sort of memory board where children could write messages and thoughts and attach them in a thoughtful ceremony or assembly?Or plant a tree.I'd love a tree planted in my name.Children care very much about the enviroment when things are explained to them I'm sure.This has prompted me to message my family and say not only do I'm registered as an organ donor so please respect that,but also never,ever use balloons or lanterns to commemorate my death.I never liked balloons as a child though,found them weirdly depressing.There one minute,then either burst or shrivelled.

"But if the memorial involved leaving a beach covered in empty cans and plastic bags, no one would defend it."

But neither would they mention it to an audience containing the bereaved. Unless really crass, they would quietly tidy up, and put effort onto the causes of the bigger litter problems that also ongoing.

@AnguaResurgam - this is the only thing I can think of that kills livestock so needlessly. What are you thinking of?

A mass littering is really not the way to celebrate a life. It needs to stop.

I started a thread about this a few years ago and got totally and utterly flamed.

YANBU.

YANBU but poor timing perhaps

YANBU

I agree with you OP and think they should be banned along with Chinese lanterns. As someone else has mentioned we are running out of helium and it’s scandalous to waste it like this. We probably need to ban helium balloons altogether as there is not really any justification for using finite resources like this.

As for those saying it’s not doing any harm, focus on something else etc, it’s worth pointing out that balloon releases are a relatively new phenomenon and people managed to remember their dead without balloons for decades so it’s not really a valid argument imo!

It's v sad to say so, but I do think YANBU. See also Chinese lanterns - horrible way to burn and hurt animals. There have been some really upsetting pictures of horses with burns on their faces and bodies

Normally I think people must grieve however they need to, but balloons and lanterns are a bit of a menace. It could so easily be changed by ensuring that anyone selling or using balloons for release uses environmentally friendly balloons, like these: www.littlecherry.co.uk/Balloons--Ribbon/Biodegradable-Balloons-Ribbon/

I agree OP. This needs to be legislated against, there's nothing else for it because people will not stop doing what they want to do. I don't know a better word to describe that then selfishness because there are other, even lovelier, ways to commemorate and remember somebody's life that don't fuck up the environment. Its not on.

I don't think those are much better for the environment, Rebeccaslicker, I read a pp and thought "There's the answer!", but it appears not.

I agree wholeheartedly OP. I have a much used bag that I carry with me on dog walks, and regularly rescue balloons/lanterns/plastic from hedges and ditches so it can't hurt wildlife. I find the need for public grieving of today very distasteful.... I always thought that's what graves were intended for.

I totally agree with you.

It's lovely to remember people who have passed but balloon releases are so damaging to the environment/wildlife. We're semi rural so very aware of this. They should be banned along with Chinese lanterns.

I think it's important to find a way to discuss this that is sensitive to the grief of bereaved families and friends.

So, so sorry for the losses experienced by anyone posting on or reading this thread .

There must be other ways to commemorate a loved one's life and mourn their death. I (fairly) recently lost a parent and I like the idea of tying messages to a tree, or planting a tree, or dedicating a bench somewhere that was important to them.

I suppose prior to plastic wrapped flowers and balloons communities expressed grief by going to church,wearing black armbands ,periods of mourning.Society and customs change.I'm not religious,and sincerely don't want to offend anyone who is grieving.But when is ever going to be a 'good 'time to discuss this .We all grieve at sometime.We've had three deaths of immediate family in as many years.But this thread highlights that if we don't collectively take responsibility for harmful littering and pollution,we and our future generations will be collectively mourning the state of our once beautiful planet.

I am so sorry for anyone's loss and recognise the power of a symbolic act of commemoration.

However, nothing in this world would ever change for the better if we never address issues for fear of hurting people's feelings. Maybe those who release balloons hadn't considered the environmental impact and will maybe make a different choice on subsequent anniversaries if they are aware.

I get the whole environment aspect. But last month I watch a 3 year old, 8 year old and a 14 year old mark the first anniversary of their mothers death with ballons. Their idea and it was beautiful.
These events usually make deaths/ anniversarys and if it helps a grieving person, then I think it's cruel to take that away.
I do get your point though. The company's must be forced to do more.

Our school wanted to do a balloon release to mark the end of year. We are an eco school in a rural area, surrounded by farmland. I mentioned thilat it wasn't a great udea but was ignored and they fid it anyway. All that latest stuck in the trees and hedgerows for weeks after made me feel saddened, particularly as we always teach children not to leave litter.

That's so sad. Maybe try again next year? Find someone to back you up?