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

[Ihsk]

I do wish people would stop releasing balloons in tribute to lost loved ones.

Balloons don’t up to heaven. They travel a few miles and usually land in a farmer’s field. Where animals eat the balloon and get very ill or die.

This method is a cruel and other creatures can die.

Also still can get Chinese lanterns online. Anyone setting these off now are idiots. Forest fires

People are idiots. I hate balloon releases too. They should be banned. Plant a tree, sow some seeds, gather and have a party/reading, do something they loved, get a banch but don't make an environmental dent for the sake of it.

Here's what 'happens' - all your thoughts & memories.

Self indulged, ignorant idiot. People like you are why we have so many problems as a society.

Well I guess, the deceased family member says, "Oh good, you're still sending balloons despite the animals who have died eating the litter when they deflate and land. You must really love me. And I love you. I will continue to be with you until the next balloon offering. Should you fail to offer up balloons on the next offering day, which is pancake day I think, then I shall no longer be with you, I will no longer love you because balloons are what are really important to me." I think there would then be a clap of thunder.

So up to 20 people each 'releasing' 2 balloons to kill wildlife and litter, potentially 40 bits of tatty deflated plastic. Your relative is remembered by tatty plastic. Do you also have an array of plastic tat around the grave.

I hope these tacky displays releasing plastic to the environment is banned in the future. An increasing number of people are educated about this and judge these displays. Poor.

I just can’t help thinking that the deceased person can’t have been nice if their family and friends deem it a suitable tribute to release balloons or lanterns to set fire to places and kill animals.

None of my loved ones would have wanted that as their legacy.

So you don’t care about the environment. But you are happy that sheep, cattle or horses or wild animals could die a painful death in memory of your dead family member? Thats sick.To want to harm animals as a memorial..did they work in an abattoir? Some sort of revenge? Why wouldn’t you do something positive and nice instead? Give toys to children’s care home or a kids ward in a hospital, There must be ways to remember a relative by supporting some thing they cared about.

So 40 balloons to wreak havoc? Don't you care that your tribute multiple times a year can cause death and suffering to animals?

20 years isn't that long ago, absolutely people were doing balloon releases and lot lantern releases, they were a big trend at weddings among those getting married 1998-2005 I'd say (when I was early 20s and attending constant weddings it felt like) of anything I'd say they're less socially acceptable now as most people realise how awful they are and only idiots continue

Its quite disgusting and barbaric that this happens because some people are too thick to understand the damage they do in the memory of someone who has passed. It needs addressing since some people are incapable of finding better ways to remember that doesn't kill animals in the memory of someone.

And also sad for the people who do it naively when they are full of grief & have seen it on tik tok & think it's a lovely thing to do.

Years down the line they may see or hear stories of some of the devastation or see a balloon discarded in a bush covered in dirt & dog shit & then feel hurt & ashamed of the way they are remembering their loved one.

There needs to be a fine for littering/flytipping for anyone doing it & fines for companies who knowingly take advantage of grieving families to sell this shit.

People would still do it to some extent but it would discourage them from doing it publicly & posting the videos on tik tok etc which is where the ideas are spreading.

Can you imagine how many balloons will be released when a dozen family members have died in that family? 🙄 it should be a criminal offence, but is against local by-laws in many local authorities, including a few I’ve lived in

You do know you are actually breaking the law under the Environmental Protection Act 1990. Littering is strictly illegal. Dropped balloons are classed as litter. Environmental Impact: Under Section 87 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, dropped balloons are classed as litter.
Wildlife Hazard: Released balloons fall back down to the ground or sea, where animals can ingest them, causing suffocation or starvation Don't Let Go: Balloon and sky lantern releases. 1, 2, 3, 4]

100% agree with this. I am also sorry for your loss @shinyredbicycle as a fellow bereaved parent.
I have done things in the past that I wouldn't do today, now I am better educated about the impact. It's ok, we learn and try to improve.

Thank-you both. Yes, more awareness now. I'm also sorry for your loss, Helppleasestuck.

100% agree

I know it’s been mentioned but the moorland fires were started by friends setting off fireworks on dry moorland in a heatwave. This was after an 18 year old died trying a stunt I assume he’d seen online, hit his head and drowned.

And fireworks, especially in rural places where there are livestock and peat moors. Some people are incredibly stupid or know the potential dangers to the environment and wildfire, but their ritual trumps everything else.

@BeSunnyLemonSheep is this what you like ? Sorry about the pic but it needs to be seen