Balloons seem to have a role in political rallies. Aside from the festive atmosphere it brings, it also contributes to the aesthetics and optical illusion in moving and inanimate images.
However, it is time to be awakened on the ballooning harmful effect of balloons to the environment.
Which saddens us when we see the supposed educated and decent class allowing for the use of balloons in campaign rallies.
Why are balloons such an issue?
Balloons are often seen as fun, harmless decorations – but they become deadly litter as soon as they are released into the air and forgotten. Research has found balloons to be in the top three most harmful pollutants threatening marine wildlife in particular. Balloons that are released or accidentally escape from outdoor events make their way into waterways and oceans.
Deliberate releases of tens, hundreds or sometimes thousands of balloons are common sights at weddings, graduations, memorials, sporting events and other celebrations. These fleeting feel-good acts inflict long-lasting and potentially deadly consequences on the environment and wildlife.
Balloons filled with helium – a finite and rapidly dwindling resource – travel hundreds or even thousands of miles. They land as litter on beaches, rivers, lakes, oceans, forests and other natural areas.
Let’s talk straight. Balloons – and balloon accessories like plastic clips and ribbons – are not biodegradable.
According to research, polyurethane balloons take about 450 years to decompose. Yes, 450 years. There will be 75 national elections before the balloons released in this campaign period will perish.
So let’s assume these balloons used in rallies are of the biodegradable type. Still, these biodegradable alternatives are also not a favorable option for the environment. They take 3–4 months to disintegrate completely, depending on whether they fall on land or in water. For example, if they fall into the sea, they can take more than a year to decompose, becoming a significant hazard to the environment and animal life.
This elections will tell us who is true to their words. It may just be a small thing — a lowly balloon — to be talking about, but the small things people cannot conscionably observe with propriety and prudence reflect one’s true personality.
Don’t be fooled by balloons. They are indications of a penchant to mock the law.
