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- I have complained to you before, about the gratuitous inclusion of balloon releases in factual programmes and dramas, with no mention of the consequences of such littering for wildlife. Your most recent excuse [ref CAS-2881403-84XRNY] was:
- "this video was [...] not promote balloon releases as a fun activity"
- Imagine my surprise and disappointment, therefore, to see a balloon release yet again shown, very much "as a fun activity", in the closing moments of last night's episode of Holby City. A tied bunch of seven helium-filled balloons were deliberately let go, and were seen rising into the sky.
- Balloon releases are harmful to the environment, to wildlife and to domestic animals.
- Even supposedly biodegradable balloons can last – and do harm – for a year or more. Yet it only takes a minutes for them to suffocate, choke or strangle an animal, or days to cause a painful death from starvation. Newspapers, cardboard boxes, supermarket carrier bags and fast-food leftovers are all biodegradable; would it be OK to depict your characters scattering them so carelessly?
- Organisations who oppose balloon releases include the Marine Conservation Society, the RSPB, the RSPCA, the National Farmers’ Union, the Shark Trust, the Tidy Britain Group, Keep Scotland Beautiful, Scottish Natural Heritage, Tidy Wales, Tidy Northern Ireland, The Country Land and Business Association, Surfers Against Sewage, Clean Cornwall, county bird clubs, various Wildlife Trusts, the Bumblebee Trust, The Soil Association, The Waterways Trust, local councils and others.
- It is also an offence to drop ‘or otherwise deposit’ litter in a public place.
- It is highly irresponsible to present such an activity in this manner. Was any thought given to where they ended up?
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