This petition is now closed, as its deadline has passed.
We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to Ban mass balloon releases. More details
Submitted by Stephen Polkinghorne – Deadline to sign up by: 16 June 2009 – Signatures: 928
Tens of thousands of balloons end up in our waterways and the sea. These can prove lethal to marine animals and birds that may mistake them for food and choke on them, or become entangled in ribbons etc. Mass balloon releases have already been banned by authorities around the world, including some UK bodies.
The Marine Conservation Society (MCS) says: "Dolphins, whales, seabirds and turtles have died from balloons. The number of balloons found on UK beaches has more than tripled in the last 12 years, from 3.4 balloons per kilometre to 11.5 balloons per kilometre."
Even though many balloons are now made of latex - which is biodegradable - they do not have time to degrade in water before some innocent creature fatally happens upon them.
To help ensure the survival of many endangered marine creatures, it is essential that we stop releasing balloons into the environment. Please support this cause and promote the use of alternative products for celebrations.
Because there are so many signatories, only the most recent 500 are shown on this page.
Because there are so many signatories, only the most recent 500 are shown on this page.