Balloon Releases, Should You?

It is not uncommon for families and friends to host a balloon release to honor a loved one.  The intention is honorable, however it comes with a downside.  In our increasingly small planet we see how our actions affect the world around us.  And there are no “safe” balloons for release.  They can take over thirty years to degrade.  It is no surprise that microplastics are showing up in our blood also.

Pennsylvania, Maryland, Laguana Beach, Hawaii are states that are part of the ongoing plan to fine or otherwise ban this practice.

The Downside

What comes up, must come down.  Balloons harm marine life and pose a threat to many animals.  Animal rights and well being mentors of all stripes support changing to law to favor animals in this regard.  Entanglement can happen,  the balloons can even be mistaken for food and of course they become litter (trash).

Zoos favor legislation to protect wildlife and wild places, and animal protection groups.

Balloon Alternatives

The upside is there are numerous activities where we can honor loved ones while safeguarding the world around us.

• Gather together and plant a tree in honorarium.  Trees are ah-mazing and can live 50 or more years, blessing us with clean air and refuge for other living beings.
• There are numerous artistic approaches that groups can partake in:  fly kits, paint rocks, create a group collage.
  Or go for a walk.

Be the one in your family or group to suggest an alternative to balloon releases.  The balloons and the strings are hazards, entrapping animals leading to their deaths.  Plastic pollution harms all of our water supplies and balloon releases are part of the problem.