How does this picture make you feel?If you've recently been tempted to release a balloon with your child as a way of commemorating a loved one's passing or to offer "well wishes" for someone in need of them, we'd like to take a minute to encourage you to seek a different way to express your feelings. The alternatives may be less telegenic than releasing one, ten, or one hundred balloons into the air, but helium balloons - even latex ones - can pose a serious risk to marine wildlife, despite manufacturers' claims to the contrary.
For a rundown on the hazards balloons can pose in the environment, check out this EarthTalk Q&A, or this information provided by the UK Rivers Network.
To us, there doesn't really seem to be any more of a qualitative difference between individual and mass balloon releases than there is between illegal waste-dumping by industry and littering by private citizens.
Yes, there is a difference of scale. But our personal actions add up, and they also send a message. In the case of a recent balloon-release meme on blogs we've been reading, the release of individual balloons is passing on a message to children that makes us cringe.
It's an otherwise admirable gesture of solidarity and hope that is hard to speak out against, and we don't feel comfortable naming names.
So we're looking at the flip side of this issue, and are working on a post about environmentally-conscious ways to send messages of hope for those in need or to commemorate lost loved ones. We'll be publishing it on our new blog the Tranquil Parent, which launches in early September.
As we collect our own thoughts, we'd like to hear from you. What are your favorite forms of remembrance or gestures of hope that don't take a toll on the environment? Are there any practices you once followed that you have replaced with more environmentally-friendly alternatives,? Any that make you feel a bit guilty but for which you haven't yet found a suitable substitute?
We'd like to keep this conversation focused on alternatives, rather than waste time or hurt feelings by passing judgment. Any ideas you can share in the comments here, if we choose to highlight them for readers in our upcoming post, will be presented in that same spirit.
Photo by Brendan Adkins, shared via Flickr.
14 comments:
Obviously planting a tree or plant in a special spot that can be visited (native plants are best). This is what we have done.
Also, floating flowers or petals down a stream might be a nice way to say goodbye in the same way one could say farewell to balloons as they sail away on a breeze.
I wonder if they could invent a balloon made from corn or something that breaks down after a few days if it gets wet?
I would suggest releasing ladybugs, that way they are beneficial and when ever you see them it would remind you of that person. (doves and butterflies are the same idea but more expensive)
i love nutmeg's ideas of floating flower petals. Even the removing of the petals could have symbolic resonance.
For our baby shower, each of the guests was given a candle and we passed the flame from person to person, as they each gave a well-wish for the baby. The night I went into labor, everyone was asked to light their candles again, and focus on their wish. A similar technique could be used to commemorate a life lost, as easily as it could be used to celebrate a life emerging. Instead of photographing released balloons, people could line their windows or streets with luminarias. The tranquil and light-filled photos would be meme-worthy and compelling.
Thanks for this. I've seen a lot of this balloon releasing going on, for a good cause and good people, but have been bothered by the environmental impact. I love the idea of planting a tree or even a flower. The new life growing would be a great symbol of healing and life renewed.
I was actually wondering about the environmental impact of the balloon release call to action... sometimes I think handwritten cards or a token PayPal donation might be more appropriate ways to band together.
Thanks for this reminder. So many people don't think about the environmental impact of releasing balloons. There have been some great ideas posted here. Love the idea of floating petals or flowers!
releasing ladybugs or butterflies :)
What about a prayer flag type thing? Something that you could make yourself. I also like the flowers idea.
As much as I know about the environmental impact of baloon releases, it doesn't make me miss the ones I did as a kid just a little. We'll just have to start new traditions for M.
I agree - thanks, Jeremiah for posting this. I remember learning as a child that balloon releases harmed sea life and have always felt a twinge of sadness when I see a balloon floating away, imagining it caught in some turtle's throat. I was kind of surprised to see all the balloon release talk this week, while I understand the emotional reasons for wanting to do so.
What about floating a boat or something handmade out of paper (like origami boat, etc) into water (lake, ocean, stream, etc). I'm not sure of the environmental impact paper would have, so someone please let me know, if this is a good idea. But, I know there are so many different types of paper...
Our first child died a few days after birth and every year we decorate his grave with wild flowers. We read the bedtime stories we never had a chance to read to him and sometimes I sing.
I do feel a bit guilty that we also release a mylar balloon each year as well.
We have planted a bush for him too, but there's something about releasing that balloon--especially for a little person you never really got to know as well as you'd like...When you lose a child, especially a very young child, it is so important to commemorate him because he has so few people to remember him (not like a 16 year old with teachers and friends or coaches, or an old person with a lifetime of relationships). It is also hard to place that child--where is he now? And how to I parent him and let him know I love him?
I think I hope the balloon will find him, and hopefully find him well, and he'll know we'll never forget.
I do like the idea of the petals in the stream, but...we all know where streams go--theyend somewhere. But it seems like the sky does not.
We'll give it a try next year, and we're open to other suggestions...
Trader Joe's gives out balloons to kids at their checkout line. This struck me as odd, though the cashier said they were biodegradable. Not sure what the life span on them is, but there's materials out there that are a bit less harmful than latex, it seems.
Releasing butterflies is a good idea, releasing ladybugs is a better one :)
I spent a lot of time as a kid picking up mylar balloons off of beaches where they washed up after storms. I can't imagine how many are out there in the ocean for every one I found.
Thank you so much for this post! This is one of my biggest environmental pet peeves, along with littering cigarette butts...
But I seemed to have missed out on something. What was "all this talk" about balloon releases?
I really enjoyed this post. I don't think it's something many people think about. I have "boycotted" balloons for many years (party pooper, I KNOW) and hope that more people do so. Add to it that there is a shortage of helium too.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080102093943.htm
I'd say bubbles are a good alternative or just planting some wildflower seeds native to your area would be a nice way to mark an event or occasion.
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