A Message About Balloons
Hello! Today I am going to tell you about a clean up we did recently on April 14, called the Waterkeeper Alliance Clean Up. We found many interesting things while we were picking up trash at a popular Satilla River boat ramp.
One of them was this…
Yes, I know you think I am crazy. You are probably thinking, how could a balloon be interesting? Balloons are actually a very sad thing to find. People all around the world have balloons, but sometimes they can be bad for our environment. I am not saying no balloons at your birthday party. What I am saying is that if they are not disposed of properly, then you will make those sea turtles sad, and nobody wants to make a sea turtle sad…
Have you ever had a balloon before and you let it go? Maybe by accident, or maybe even on purpose? This can be very harmful. Remember the sea turtle? When you release a balloon, a sea turtle or another living thing can eat it thinking it is food. Yeah I know, gross! Animals can also get tangled up in the strings attached to the balloons. So, don’t release balloons! Tie them to your arm or hold them down to prevent them from floating away.
Some people release balloons on purpose to remember someone or celebrate a special event. There are so many other things we could do instead that would not hurt our environment. Some environmentally friendly alternatives are releasing butterflies, floating flowers, lighting candles, planting a tree, and blowing bubbles. You can find even more ideas here.
So, remember the sea turtle. Would you like to eat a balloon or get tangled up in string? No, and neither do they! So, the next time you see a balloon, make sure it is properly tied down and educate others about not releasing balloons. When doing this, know that the sea turtles won’t be sad any more.
About The Author
Hey, Hannah Oh and just in case you didn’t know we go to the same school,BES and I just thought that the presentation that you did in the small multi propose room was really cool and I was the one that did the pesticide I was the one wearing the pink shirt and I really think it is inspiring how you like saving the enviorment and i was wandering were I can find the t-shirts and everything else you have BYE!!!!!!!!
Hi Abigail! Thank you for commenting. I really enjoyed coming to talk to you guys! If you want to get a t-shirt and other things, see me some time during school and I’ll get you one. Make sure you remember, if you see a piece of litter pick it up! You CAN make a difference!
Hi Hannah! I did a herpetology survey a month or so back at a very remote location near the Ohoopee sand dunes and you know what trash I still found there? Not one, but THREE Mylar balloons! I of course picked those up, but seeing that trash in such a remote place in nature made me swear to never use balloons again. It can be truly devastating to wildlife. Keep up the educational work!
-Kelsea
Thank you for cleaning up balloons. Not only are they bad for our ecosystem, but they also make the area look bad. Everyone can make a difference! Thank you for cleaning up.
Thanks,
Hannah