Humanitarianism--spread humanity..
 
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What harm could releasing balloons do to the nature??
But every single small thing matters..
THE IMPRESSIVE VISUAL IMPACT OF THOUSANDS OF BALLOONS BEING RELEASED INTO THE SKY MAY LAST A FEW MINUTES, BUT THE IMPACT ON WILDLIFE AND THE MARINE CONSERVATION ENVIRONMENT MAY LAST MANY MONTHS WITH POTENTIALLY HARMFUL CONSEQUENCE..

Before thinking of solving the problem, first get to know it:
[ Many people are unaware that balloon releases can result in littering and harm to wildlife. Once balloons are out of sight, they don't disappear - what goes up must come down! An estimated 90-95% of released balloons rise to an altitude of 5 miles where the temperature and pressure is such that they burst into small fragments. The remaining 5-10% that do not reach a high enough altitude may remain inflated and can float many miles before descending back to the land or the sea semi-inflated. Once balloons are released, they can become a serious form of marine pollution. A long list of marine creatures - dolphins, whales, turtles, fish, and seabirds - have been reported with balloons in their stomachs. It is believed that they mistake balloons and other buoyant plastics for their natural prey e.g. jellyfish and squid, and eat them.
THIS IS NO JOKE..The following species, all of which occur in the North East Atlantic waters off the UK, have been reported with latex balloons in the digestive systems:

Common Dolphin, Risso's Dolphin, Loggerhead Turtle, Leatherback Turtle, Blue Shark, Northern Fulmar.

Whilst most balloons used in balloon releases are made of biodegradable latex, some are made of mylar foil which persists much longer in the marine environment. An infant sperm whale met its death in New Jersey in 1985 as a result of ingestion of an inflated mylar balloon which had lodged in its intestines. Consequently, the whale died of starvation.

A study on balloon persistence in the environment indicated that latex balloons degrade 'faster than an oak leaf' and this is often used in defence of mass balloon releases. However, an oak leaf in a cold water environment may take six months to break down and during this time the balloons can be carried hundreds of miles by sea breezes and ingested by marine life.

Attachments such as ribbons and string tied to balloons are a particular problem as they can lead to entanglement. A Code of Practice for mass balloon releases has been issued and states that ribbons must never be used, which will reduce the incidence of entanglement.

All seven species of marine turtle are near extinction and many turtles of two species in particular, the Loggerhead and Leatherback turtle, have been found with balloons in their guts, probably having mistaken them for jellyfish, their preferred prey. ]

Now,if you are thinking that you can do nothing about this,then think again.
        Every big thing starts with an individual initiative.      
 
  # If you get to know about any pre-planned balloon release, request the organisers to adopt alternatives like using the same balloons to build up a statue. Or if they decide to proceed with balloon releases despite several recommendations,then urge them to use latex balloons rather than mylar or foil balloons.
  # If you find a balloon on the beach with a company name, send it back to the company with a copy of this factsheet urging them to think twice next time.
  # Plan a 'Beatchwatch Day'. Go to any beach and monitor your it for litter such as balloons and other debris harmful to wildlife.

 Always remember, YOU CAN DO IT..

Special thanks to Marine Conservation Society for creating awareness about this fact.

Please sign their petition,if you care for the marine life,here.


-Ayushi Sharma


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