AIBU to beg for no more balloon releases

[Newspeaker]

Why is it that at the times of the worst tragedy so many people still think it is OK to release dangerous litter into the sky? Surely in every group who plan these events there will be at least one person who understands the implications and can push for an alternative?
That's it really. Don't tell me people need to grieve - there are plenty of other ways to signal your grief, if you feel the need to do that. Does anyone want the memorial to their loved one be tainted by - just one real life example - a dead donkey foal with a balloon and the string in her gut? It seems particularly ironic that our young people can be so vocal about environmental issues, and yet they still flock to buy the balloons and take part in these releases.
It just breaks my heart to see this, knowing that the odds are some animals will suffer or die from our thoughtlessness, and yet again the land will be littered.

Any time someone posts about this they get accused of bad timing and insensitivity. Caring about our environment and feeling deep sadness for tragic losses aren't mutually exclusive. We have to find some time to speak up, because however much we do, it still happens.

Realistically they probably wouldn't - the conviction vs offence rate for flytipping is miniscule. And balloon releases must contribute such a tiny, tiny amount of the plastic waste that kills wildlife. I'm not saying that it's therefore fine, but I do think the outrage here is disproportionate (and snobbish).

Why are you so determined to police people’s emotions and expressions of grief

Because it's litter. It's terrible for the environment and it kills farm animals and wildlife.

There was one near me last night. Not Cardiff. I hate them. And you aren’t wrong Op.

One of the main problems is that when it’s positioned as a tribute to someone tragically losing their life, no one wants to tell their loved ones ‘you shouldn’t do that’

I know, if someone had piped up and said that here, they would have got loads of abuse.

I was just going to say this.
There are a couple near us. They get added to every birthday/Christmas/Anniversary but the previous lot is never cleared away.

My friend lost her Mum a while ago and is now inviting us to a tree planting with balloon release. Everyone will have a balloon to let go. I just can’t do that. Do I tell her gently before she buys all this lethal litter, or quietly decline in the day?

Because ‘grief’ isn’t an excuse to indulge in whatever behaviour you want, no matter the harm it causes to other living beings.

Because it's apparent that some people are too fucking stupid to channel their emotions and grief into something positive, instead choosing to litter and kill.

Tell her. You won't be the only one who doesn't want to take part in communal littering.

Are you suggesting that some peoples grief can only be dealt with by releasing litter?

But thats exactly what these litter releases are. Everyone grieves in their own way but someone decides they want 100 people to let go of a ballon for a photo op and people are left feeling unable to say no as this has been declared The Way To Grieve. I think its incredibly arrogant actually.

Sadly lots of people don't care about other humans let alone animals and the environment. It is extremely selfish and lots of people who are supposedly being honoured would probably be mortified by the damage being caused in their name.

It seems particularly ironic that our young people can be so vocal about environmental issues, and yet they still flock to buy the balloons and take part in these releases.

Whilst I agree with you it wasnt just young people though was it?

Helps raise awareness and that can only be a good thing. Well done @Newspeaker

The tree planting is a great idea isn't it? I would gently suggest something else, I wonder about bee bombs? Also, it sounds corny maybe, but have we lost the joy of sharing music? Everyone with the words to her favourite song joining to sing it maybe.

I agree op. And locally at the minute there's a trend of doing a bunch of fireworks too. Last week they went off at 11pm and then 4.30am. When anyone asked on the local fb what was going on they were ripped into.

Saying it was "particularly ironic" kind of makes it clear that I wasn't talking about everyone involved. I just think the fact that this is so popular with youngsters, and they take part in droves, is particularly ironic.

I was horrified by the pictures from Cardiff. Mass releases should be banned. It's straightforward littering.

I agree op. Plant a tree instead, or dedicate a park bench, or light a candle. Don’t needlessly kill.

but such a shame idiots like @SunnySaturdayMorning will always exist, attention seeking and selfish really knows no bounds. Like some folk think it’s ok to buy necklaces with tiny baby turtles inside that suffocate, Sunny cares very little about anyone or anything else.

It's a taught expression of grief that's copied by others. And it's a selfish environmentally dangerous one that can be stopped and something else can be put in its place. No one has an innate desire to release plastic bags of helium in memory of a lost loved one.

I think they are just litter too. Candles, trees etc all better. They are common in my area. Teen stab victims - huge balloon release. Stab kits fitted on housing estates. But I don't hear of parents gutting their teen child's rooms & getting rid of all the knives.?

I very much hope that someone with that mentality doesn't have any sort of pet to care for. Somehow though i doubt it anyway.

And so the world burns.

I'm totally with you OP, environmentally there are horrendous.

Grief is a terrible and very personal thing, however there are ways to gently dissuade balloon releases.

For the record helium used in balloons isn’t medical grade. It’s virtually useless in a medical capacity.

Aside from that, I understand the appeal of balloons and Chinese lanterns because it does look beautiful and ethereal, but the consequences are enough to not do it and for me to support banning it.

I have mused about the idea of floating candles but honestly don’t know what the environmental impact is and it would require a large body of water to be easily accessible. Lots of flowers could be effective too I think.

I agree they should be banned. Grief is not a competition, it's not a show, it's not likes on social media.
Also the sight of flowers rotting in cellophane at accident sites. Ffs at least remove the cellophane and bin it!!