Balloons may look nice, and launching them into the air is a powerful symbol used at many events, including memorial services. However, what goes up must come down. Balloons are hazards when they enter the environment.  All released balloons, return to Earth as litter and kill countless animals and can travel thousands of miles and pollute the most remote and pristine places. Balloons return to the land and sea where they can be mistaken for food and eaten by animals. Sea turtles, dolphins, whales, fish and birds have been reported with balloons in their stomachs and ribbons and strings can lead to entanglement, causing death. Scientists who work with stranded whales, dolphins, seals and sea turtles have found balloons, parts of balloons and balloon string in the stomachs of many of these dead animals. Once airborne, balloons can travel far afield and often end up joining the flotsam riding the world’s oceans. One that was unleashed in a science fair experiment to investigate wind direction was retrieved on an island 1,300 miles from its release site. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration identifies balloons as a commonly reported source of marine debris.  Instead of Balloon Releases:http://balloonsblow.org/environmentally-friendly-alternatives