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.

This.
I was going to say it if nobody else had.

It took millions of years to create the helium we have, it can't be replaced, it's an important medical supply, yet we waste it getting balloons to float.

I agree.
They really should be banned.

I agree, and I also think bubbles would be a fab alternative. Same visual effect and symbolism no additional death.

I think balloon releases look terrible, whenever I see one I just picture a load of deflated balloons on a street, in a field, floating in the sea etc. Hardly a dignified way to remember someone, a load of nuisance litter. Same with neglected roadside displays, when I cark it I don't want to be remembered by a mouldy teddy tied to a lamppost thanks!

I live in a farming community and I regularly see pleas like this on our local Facebook pages. I think @SunnySaturdayMorning's comment was deliberately provocative to get a rise out of everyone, because no-one is that stupid or hard of thinking.

I also feel that letting off balloons etc is performative "grief" and I would far rather do something positive to commemorate the death of someone like donating to cancer research or volunteering for a charity.

Gotta love the numpties who think they're clever for inventing novel punishments - you hear it on radio phone-ins allll the time. "Take their favourite toy away", "make them eat vomit". The law doesn't work like that.

I agree with you OP. Any person with a brain will.

But this post is an example of the type of person that simply doesn’t care less. And they walk among us.

So what sort of laws do we need to bring this to an end? Regulation of the sale of helium?

@SunnySaturdayMorning love the fact you think you're the big I am with your comment but don't have the guts to come back and explain why you think is ok.

Grief is not a competition, it's not a show

I disagree here, grief has always (and probably will always) create a social need for people to gather and express it as a group. It’s actually quite important in terms of coming to terms and accepting the permanent loss of someone’s presence.

What has been lost is direction I think. It’s not a reason to turn to religion but religion does at least direct the need for people to express their grief in an organised way.

Totally agree. And there is a "type".

Last year a little boy was tragically killed in an accident on his parents farm near where we live. There was a vigil for him and despite the fact that the boys mother asked for there not to be a balloon release people still did it. You really can’t argue with that level of stupid.

I agree. I can't even see the point of it. I know people want to show support etc, but who ever thought releasing balloons into the air was somehow appropriate?

You are being goady. There's no need.

The idiots yesterday didn't just stop at letting off balloons as if that is not bad enough but also let off fireworks and flares!

The crux is, it is fashionable to Leto of balloons. What needs to happen is to find something else to replace it. It would have to be something that flies, because it symbolises going to heaven. I get that. So, I am suggesting doves that can be set free from a basket. Surely someone has this kind of business they can promote as a nature friendly alternative to balloons. Much nicer IMO

So, I am suggesting doves that can be set free from a basket. Surely someone has this kind of business they can promote as a nature friendly alternative to balloons. Much nicer IMO

Releasing doves is cruel. It's not an appropriate alternative.

www.pigeonrescue.org/2019/09/16/releasing-doves-at-ceremonies-why-you-shouldnt-do-it/

You underestimate people's ability to not care. A lot of people don't care about things beyond themselves. Not nature, not the environment, not the future. It really sounds like a lovely way to live. Just living your life, not feeling guilty about anything.

The crux is, it is fashionable to Leto of balloons. What needs to happen is to find something else to replace it. It would have to be something that flies, because it symbolises going to heaven.

Bubbles.

But they're not as easy to take photos of, and those releasing the balloons want a photo more than they want something that symbolises something going to heaven.

YANBU. I thought the same thing. I don't know if it's been said but I remember reading that helium is a scarce resource (or hard to get hold of) and so shouldn't be wasted.

I got brave some years back and asked my friend not to have a balloon release at her wedding. She agreed and said she wouldn't do it. When we got there she's organised a bloody butterfly release instead. 😓
I could hardly do anything about that on the day, but my partner and I quietly took ourselves away from the "celebration" at that point.

If plastic straws were so easy to virtually eliminate from use surely the same could be done with balloons ?

Maybe its my autism but I really don’t see how a bit of plastic filled with a dwindling natural resource that will burst and fall back some to earth is ever going to take a message to heaven even if that’s as possible a balloon wouldn’t manage it . Why not plant some flowers that come back each year or something ?

I remember being in primary school 30 years ago and we did a massive balloon release. People paid £1 per balloon and the one that travelled the furthest won a prize. Looking back now I do wonder how much damage we caused.
Balloons can also be accidental litter too so I think we need to do something to crack on down on this.

If you want to make a real impact against environmental waste then spend time working with businesses forcing them change their destructive practices.

Calling out private citizens who release balloons is like throwing a deck chair off the titanic and wondering why it still sank.

This is a huge part of the problem nobody wants personal responsibility. Shifting blame and admitting defeat and then not bothering is contributing

You give that example but if everyone did something it would add up to a huge effort.