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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to beg for no more balloon releases

286 replies

Newspeaker · 27/05/2023 08:49

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.

OP posts:
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WowIlikereallyhateyou · 27/05/2023 13:50

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Proud to be an “arsehole”, if being one means I have enough about me to understand I can grieve for someone without littering or causing damage to the environment with my “ tokens” of grief. Really, resorting to name calling, is that your best shot?!

Thunderpunt · 27/05/2023 13:52

HoldingTheDoor · 27/05/2023 12:12

We did do Chinese lanterns instead but I bought the most eco friendly ones available. At least they disintegrate unlike balloons.

"Chinese" lanterns are a flying fire hazard as well as litter and often involve sharp parts that animals may accidentally ingest. They are not an appropriate or better alternative to balloons.

My neighbour, who is a local farmer lost his entire years worth of hay/haylage a couple of years ago on New Years Eve when his haystack in the lower field caught light.
Can you guess what was found to be the cause of the fire? It was a Chinese Lantern. Thousands of pounds up in smoke, and then he had to go and buy to feed his livestock....so cost him double in effect

Knowivedonewrong · 27/05/2023 13:55

This reply has been deleted

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whumpthereitis · 27/05/2023 13:56

AnarchoTyrannosaurus · 27/05/2023 12:48

That's quite unpleasant. Do you generally struggle with empathy issues?

Show quote history

Lol, the pious ‘empathy’ defence, as if empathy is being extended to those harmed and killed by this shite.

Grief isn’t justification for doing whatever the fuck you like no matter the harm caused.

AnarchoTyrannosaurus · 27/05/2023 13:57

WowIlikereallyhateyou · 27/05/2023 13:50

Proud to be an “arsehole”, if being one means I have enough about me to understand I can grieve for someone without littering or causing damage to the environment with my “ tokens” of grief. Really, resorting to name calling, is that your best shot?!

Show quote history

I also do not understand with regard to the roadside tributes why people want to remember people at such a tragic time in their life ie at an accident site.

That's because you lack understanding and empathy.

Surely remembering people when they were well and in a place they loved is more appropriate ,but hey we are all different.

That's right, we are all different. At least you have some vague sense of that.

All of these things balloons, toys, plastic, all should be cleared as littering

Again utter lack of empathy. Describing the gifts people leave their loved ones to help come to terms with their grief as litter that should be cleared is the ultimate arsehole comment.

Communicating with people generously and with empathy, to try and actually make the change you want doesn't seem to be one of your skills.

And no, It's definitely not the best I've got. But anything else would probably result in a deletion.

AnarchoTyrannosaurus · 27/05/2023 13:59

whumpthereitis · 27/05/2023 13:56

Lol, the pious ‘empathy’ defence, as if empathy is being extended to those harmed and killed by this shite.

Grief isn’t justification for doing whatever the fuck you like no matter the harm caused.

Show quote history

Yeah, I can see why the eco warriors types struggle to get people on board with them. It's because of the stinking attitude.

Jourdain11 · 27/05/2023 14:00

What's wrong with Chinese lanterns?

HoldingTheDoor · 27/05/2023 14:01

What's wrong with Chinese lanterns?

They're both litter and a fire hazard.

www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/litter/skylanterns

Jourdain11 · 27/05/2023 14:02

Not if you don't leave them around, surely?

SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 27/05/2023 14:02

They have sharp parts which can injure animals, and they also cause fires - like the German zoo fire which was caused by a flying lantern and killed several animals. At best, they add to litter in the countryside.

Sugarfree23 · 27/05/2023 14:02

EggInANest · 27/05/2023 09:23

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?

Tell her quietly that while you think the balloon release idea is lovely, what goes up, must come down and its essentially causing a bundle of litter.

I don't think helium should be allowed in balloons anyway other ways to create displays etc without helium balloons.

Jourdain11 · 27/05/2023 14:03

SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 27/05/2023 14:02

They have sharp parts which can injure animals, and they also cause fires - like the German zoo fire which was caused by a flying lantern and killed several animals. At best, they add to litter in the countryside.

I still don't get it - if you clear them away there can't be a risk of any of those things?

HoldingTheDoor · 27/05/2023 14:04

I still don't get it - if you clear them away there can't be a risk of any of those things?

How do you clear away something that floats off into the sky and could land literally anywhere?

HoldingTheDoor · 27/05/2023 14:06

Are we talking about the same things or do you really think that most people go chasing after sky lanterns?

HoldingTheDoor · 27/05/2023 14:10

We're not talking about this type(In the pic) that's simply suspended but the type where you light the flame and it takes off into the sky.

AIBU to beg for no more balloon releases
AndTheSurveySays · 27/05/2023 14:13

I had no idea that butterfly releases could be harmful. I was thinking of releasing some with DD but won't now.
Thank you to the pp that mentioned it.

Jourdain11 · 27/05/2023 14:13

No! We are not talking about the same thing. I was thinking of the kind you hang on trees, for New Year and so on. I never heard of flying ones...

Thank you, that makes more sense now.

WowIlikereallyhateyou · 27/05/2023 14:15

AnarchoTyrannosaurus · 27/05/2023 13:57

I also do not understand with regard to the roadside tributes why people want to remember people at such a tragic time in their life ie at an accident site.

That's because you lack understanding and empathy.

Surely remembering people when they were well and in a place they loved is more appropriate ,but hey we are all different.

That's right, we are all different. At least you have some vague sense of that.

All of these things balloons, toys, plastic, all should be cleared as littering

Again utter lack of empathy. Describing the gifts people leave their loved ones to help come to terms with their grief as litter that should be cleared is the ultimate arsehole comment.

Communicating with people generously and with empathy, to try and actually make the change you want doesn't seem to be one of your skills.

And no, It's definitely not the best I've got. But anything else would probably result in a deletion.

Show quote history

Whatever you think. Clearly the “gifts” you describe will magically disappear into the ether and none of it will become “litter” or damage the environment.
Good job we do not all think we can just do as we please with regard to our surroundings.

HoldingTheDoor · 27/05/2023 14:15

No problem. I had a feeling that I was confusing matters by being as clear as mud.

HoldingTheDoor · 27/05/2023 14:16

I had no idea that butterfly releases could be harmful. I was thinking of releasing some with DD but won't now.
Thank you to the pp that mentioned it.

Thank you for being so considerate and thoughtful.

oakleaffy · 27/05/2023 14:17

There was a mass ballon release that resulted in death of a human .
All the beastly bits of rubber came down on a lake where rescuers were looking for a lost person in the water.
Balloons obscured the man’s head.
They are ugly, polluting and dangerous -
Also very unimaginative.

Rubber in the sky that descends to pollute or kill?
Far better ways to remember people by than that.

Ditto those silly flying lanterns .

Nanny0gg · 27/05/2023 14:22

Soubriquet · 27/05/2023 10:49

Oooo a butterfly release is also a good alternative

They're living creatures! Where are you going to get them from?

Jifmicroliquid · 27/05/2023 14:22

Why do people feel the need to ‘release’ things to mark their grief? I’ve never understood it. Just grieve quietly, or gather in a group if you must, but what does setting a bunch of balloons free actually achieve? Other than a ‘show’ for social media.
I have zero respect for anyone who releases balloons, lanterns or anything else that can harm and damage wildlife and the countryside. The trouble is, there are too many “I can do whatever I want” people out there who have no thought for anything other than their own selfish existence.

ArabeIIaScott · 27/05/2023 14:30

Jifmicroliquid · 27/05/2023 14:22

Why do people feel the need to ‘release’ things to mark their grief? I’ve never understood it. Just grieve quietly, or gather in a group if you must, but what does setting a bunch of balloons free actually achieve? Other than a ‘show’ for social media.
I have zero respect for anyone who releases balloons, lanterns or anything else that can harm and damage wildlife and the countryside. The trouble is, there are too many “I can do whatever I want” people out there who have no thought for anything other than their own selfish existence.

It's a metaphor of loss, of letting go.

Quite a nice image, I think. Just so long as it doesn't involve things that are going to cause harm or damage.

Whowhatwherewhenwhy1 · 27/05/2023 14:37

Beg all you like but people will still do it. Why not spend your time campaigning for or researching biodegrade-able options as if people knew about them Or they were widely available they may be persuaded to use the safer more environmentally friendly options in future.