I've watched in dismay as countless people release balloons into the sky to commemorate a loved one who has passed. While this act may seem harmless, it is far from it. These balloons, once they burst or deflate, fall back to earth and become a lethal hazard for wildlife and livestock. Animals often mistake these remnants for food, leading to painful deaths when the material blocks their digestive tracts.

According to a study by Environmental Pollution, balloon debris is the highest-risk plastic debris item for seabirds - 32 times more likely to kill than ingesting hard plastics (Roman et al., 2019). This isn't just an issue affecting marine life; terrestrial animals are also at risk. The National Farmers' Union has reported numerous incidents of livestock choking on balloon fragments that have landed in fields.

We must put an end to this senseless practice that harms our environment and kills innocent creatures. We urge lawmakers everywhere to ban balloon releases in all forms - whether they be for memorials, celebrations or any other event. By doing so we can honour our loved ones without causing harm elsewhere.

Please sign this petition today and help us protect our wildlife and livestock from unnecessary harm caused by balloon releases.