Balloons Are Causing Harm In The Natural World
Sadly, releasing balloons can be as bad and as anti-social as littering... When balloons are released or let go, they end up as trash in pastures, putting livestock at risk or they drop into the ocean, with devastating consequences for the marine life.
Balloons do not biodegrade in water
Instead, they soak up all the water, actually increasing in size. When they end up in the ocean, balloons are often mistaken for jelly fish (in the much the same way as floating plastic bags) by sea turtles and other marine life. While some balloons burst, others gradually deflate and fall back to earth where they can have cruel consequences for wildlife. Dolphins, whales, turtles and many other marine species, as well as land animals such as cows, dogs, sheep, tortoises, birds and others, have been hurt or killed by balloons. The animal, unless rescued, will die from the balloon blocking its digestive tract. Unable to take in any nutrients, the animal slowly starves to death. All types of wildlife can become entangled in a deflated balloon and/or its ribbon, leaving the animal unable to move or eat. One in three sea turtles have plastic and other types of litter in their stomachs.
Are you still celebrating a special occasion with balloons?
If you are planning a balloon release for a special occasion, please think twice before you do. Understand that while you and others may enjoy a moment or two of fun, the balloons themselves can have deadly consequences for the environment. Ask yourself: “What happens to the balloons? Where do they go?” Instead, think about using the many environmentally and animal friendly alternatives to balloon releases.- If the occasion calls for a remembrance, why not plant a memory garden or just one tree?
- Blow bubbles.
- Light candles.
- Float or throw flowers or flower petals, remembering that many people feel a sense of peace and of letting go when they watch the flowers float away on a stream or lake.
- Fly a kite but not near trees or lines where a kite could become entangled and even harm birds.
Written by Jane Chitty
Jane writes for Healing Natural Oils, a producer and retailer of high-quality, all-natural treatments for a variety of conditions as well as a range of beauty products. Apart from writing about those various conditions, she also covers general health, environmental and other subjects of interest. She has lived in Kenya as well as Cape Town, South Africa and spent time in San Diego, USA. She now lives in Somerset, England with regular visits from her far-flung children and grandchildren. She is a keen gardener and enjoys growing fresh fruit and vegetables with her husband on their joint allotment. As a result, there is something available to use in the kitchen virtually all year round. Her regular posts can be found on our blog.