Balloon launches are a fashionable way to express feelings at times of celebration and grief today.
People fly balloons off into the wild blue yonder, to pay tribute at various memorial events and mark weddings etc. They also launch them at parties. Schools think it’s fun to let balloons soar off into the sky too at leavers' days and will impress the others present.
So, is this a harmless and sensible way to celebrate, commemorate or lament, or is there a more sinister aspect at large here?
Well, who will mourn for an innocent lamb or calf that lies dying next to its mother in agony, after eating one of these fallen balloons? Unenlightened (and basically very stupid) humans regularly and willingly conduct such launches that result in balloons littering farm pastures, woodlands, seashores etc.
When pieces of balloon are mistaken for food and ingested, they can get lodged in the digestive tract, preventing the poor animal from eating. This may result in a slow and painful death by starvation.
The same thing can occur with marine animals and birds. They can die a lingering death after consuming balloons.
How is this selfish human activity ever to be considered as fair-minded, positive, or reasonably adult conduct? Where is the fun in this when we relate it to eco-damage potentially created?
No matter what the well-meant motivation, there must be a better way to express our emotions.
As with likewise ecologically - destructive Chinese lanterns, balloon launches are a damaging trend that kills innocent creatures and trends do tend to spread. It would be a far kinder and a more lasting idea to plant some new trees that other people can visit, enjoy and watch grow.
We need to treat our precious planet with all due respect, as this is our organic home.
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