Up, Up, and Away... - Healthy Communities of Brownsville

Healthy Communities
of Brownsville
www.healthybrownsville.org
presents
n
d
a
A
,
w
p
U
a
,
y...
p
U
¡No!
Arriba, Arriba, y Lejos...
“Don’t let go of your balloon.”
“No sueltes tus globos.”
www.healthy brownsville.org
Page 1
Up, Up, and Away...
Dear Fellow Texans and Visitors to Texas...
Greetings! The Dangers of Balloon Releases has been a topic of conversation among members
of the Environmental Trendbenders of the Healthy Communities of Brownsville (HCB) organization
for some time now. (www.healthybrownsville.org) After much discussion and collaborative help
from other concerned organizations from Brownsville to South Padre Island, we decided to move
on this issue as these releases are seriously impacting our environment, and time is of the essence.
Balloons released into the air...whether by accident or in large quantities at special events...
eventually end up as trash on the ground, entangled on power lines and in trees, or floating in
bodies of water. Besides being considered litter and totally unsightly, these releases pose serious
health risks to our wildlife. Not only can they get entangled by the string or ribbon used, the
balloon part is mistaken for food by some animals and ingested, but not digested. Their digestive
systems cannot handle the latex or mylar materials used in balloons.
Please read this booklet and share it with others...it proves that we can all share in the positive
end results and make a difference. Having a shared vision will impact our community and in
turn, many other communities. Please help spread the word! When you do that, everyone wins...
especially our wildlife. Remember...you can celebrate with balloons! Just don’t let them go.
This booklet was the result of the help of many people. Many thanks to the people listed below
for their help and dedication to this important project.
- Sharon S. Putegnat
Chair, Healthy Communities of Brownsville
Environmental Trendbender Committee
Written by: Sharon S. Putegnat
Illustrated by: Helen E. Taylor
Translated by: Sarah Prock
Aida Alvarez
Edited by: Dr. Sandy McGehee, Karen Ray, and Helen E. Taylor
Graphic Design: Fernando Magana
Coordinator: Dr. Sandy McGehee, Director of Educational Services
The Brownsville Herald
© 2011 Healthy Communities of Brownsville
Page 2
“Don’t let go of your balloon.”
“MOM...come quickly!
Look at the celebration on T.V.
Look at the many balloons that are being released.
Isn’t that beautiful...isn’t that beautiful to watch?
I wish I could be there and do that.”
“¡Mamá...ven rápido!
Mira la celebración en la televisión.
Mira cuantos globos están soltando al aire.
¿No es hermoso...verdad que se ve hermoso?
Me gustaría poder estar ahí y presenciar eso.”
Page 3
Up, Up, and Away...
“Really, Michael! SERIOUSLY!!!” Mom exclaimed.
“This is not good!”
“¡De verdad, Miguel! ¡EN SERIO!” exclamó mamá.
“¡Eso no está bien!”
Page 4
“Don’t let go of your balloon.”
“What do you mean, Mom? It’s beautiful!”
“¿Qué quieres decir con eso, mamá? ¡Sí, se ve hermoso!”
Page 5
Up, Up, and Away...
“You are right, Michael. The balloons are beautiful to watch, but what goes up
must come down. Eventually, these colorful balloons will deflate, or lose air,
and come back to Earth and become litter. Remember we talked about litter
and how unsightly it is? This litter is harmful, as well.”
“Tienes razón, Miguel. Los globos se ven hermosos, pero todo lo que sube tiene que bajar.
Finalmente, estos coloridos globos se desinflarán y terminarán en el suelo, convirtiéndose en
peligrosa basura. ¿Recuerdas que hablamos de la basura y lo fea qué puede ser? Este tipo de
basura puede ser muy dañina.”
Page 6
“Don’t let go of your balloon.”
“Some balloons are made of materials that do not decompose or
breakdown,” Mom explained. “Picture this...a cat comes along and is looking
for something to play with or eat. It finds a balloon in a tree, licks it, and
swallows it. This animal will eventually die because it cannot digest the
materials that balloons are made of.”
“Algunos globos están hechos de materiales que no se desintegran o se pudren,” explicó mamá.
“Imagínate que venga un gato buscando algo con que jugar o algo para comer. Se encuentra un
globo en un árbol, lo lame, y se lo traga. Este gatito podría morir ya que el material del globo no es
digerible en su sistema. “
Page 7
Up, Up, and Away...
“It’s the same thing with dogs or any other animal,” Mom
continued. “They can find a balloon in the grass and chew it up!”
“Lo mismo sucede con los perros o cualquier otro animal,” añadió mamá.
“¡Pueden encontrarse un globo en el césped y masticarlo!”
Page 8
“Don’t let go of your balloon.”
“And, Michael, what do you think happens when balloons fall into
the sea?” Mom asked. “Sea turtles, dolphins, whales, fish, and birds
will think that the balloons are food.”
“Además, Miguel, ¿qué crees que sucede cuando los globos caen sobre el
mar?” preguntó mamá. “Las tortugas marinas, los delfines, las ballenas, los
peces y las aves pensarían que los globos son alimento.”
Page 9
Up, Up, and Away...
“A deflated balloon creates a danger to all animals,” Mom continued. “Most often
affected are marine animals, such as sea turtles, because they mistake balloons for
jellyfish which are their natural prey. If they eat the balloon, it can clog their digestive
system and cause death. Also, marine animals can get entangled and injured with
balloon strings and ribbon.”
“Un globo desinflado es un grave peligro para todos los animales,” añadió mamá. “Y los animales marinos más
frecuentemente afectados son las tortugas, ya que piensan que los globos son medusas, las cuales son sus
presas naturales. Sí se llegarán a comer un globo, éste puede obstruir su sistema digestivo,
ocasionándoles la muerte. Además, los listones o la cinta de los globos pueden enredarse
alrededor de ellos y lastimar a estos animales.”
Page 10
“Don’t let go of your balloon.”
Remember These Facts
Recuerde Estos Datos
Balloons can be
litter...dispose of
properly!
Los globos pueden
ser basura…¡deben
ser desechados
apropiadamente!
Balloons are not
digestible.
Los globos no son
digeribles.
Balloons
can cause
suffocation.
Los globos pueden
causar asfixia.
Mylar (foil)
balloons are not
biodegradable.
Los globos hechos
de aluminio no son
biodegradables.
Balloons are
hazardous to
wildlife and pets.
Los globos son
peligrosos para la
fauna y para los
animales domésticos.
Strings and ribbon are also
an entanglement hazard
to animals.
Los listones y la cinta son también
un peligro ya que pueden
enredarse en los animales.
Page 11
Up, Up, and Away...
“Remember, Michael, our environment includes all living things, and we need to be
stewards, or caretakers, of our environment. Balloons can be fun, but we need to be
responsible for the proper disposal of them. In other words, throw them in the trash
can after you have used them. Don’t release them or leave them laying about. Proper
disposal is the key to protecting our environment and especially our wildlife and pets.”
“Miguel, recuerda que nuestro medio ambiente incluimos todos los seres humanos, y tenemos la
responsabilidad de actuar como administradores o protectores de éste. Los globos pueden ser divertidos,
pero debemos aprender a desecharlos apropiadamente para evitar catastróficos resultados. Éstos deben ser
tirados a la basura después de haber sido utilizados. No deben ser soltados al aire o dejarlos en cualquier
lugar. Una eliminación apropiada de este tipo de productos es la clave para ayudar a proteger nuestro
medio ambiente y, especialmente, nuestra fauna y nuestros animales domésticos. “
Page 12
“Don’t let go of your balloon.”
Michael thought about all his mom had said. “We must tell others and
spread the word,” he proclaimed. His mom agreed and added, “We
owe it to ourselves, each other, and all living things.”
Miguel pensó en toda lo que su mamá le había dicho y dijo. “Tenemos que decirle a los
demás y correr la voz”. Su mamá estaba de acuerdo y agregó, “nos lo debemos a nosotros
mismos, y a todos los seres humanos.”
Page 13
Up, Up, and Away...
Michael’s mom reinforced, “It is our responsibility to keep our
environment both safe and beautiful. Let’s never forget that. Maybe you
can think of some other ways to celebrate without releasing balloons.”
La mamá de Miguel reafirmó, “es nuestra responsabilidad el mantener nuestro medio
ambiente seguro y hermoso, nunca debemos olvidarlo. Tal vez tú puedas pensar en otras
maneras de celebrar eventos sin tener la necesidad de soltar globos al aire.”
Page 14
“Don’t let go of your balloon.”
Facts about
Balloons
There are 2 kinds of balloons:
~Mylar (foil) balloons are made out of nylon
and covered with aluminum. They are not
biodegradable.
~Latex balloons are made out of sap from rubber
trees. Latex balloons are biodegradable, but that
can take from 6 months to 2 years. Also, once
these balloons come in contact with salt water, it
slows down the decomposing process.
• Proper disposal of balloons will protect wildlife
and pets.
• Mass balloon releases have been banned by some
authorities in different parts of the world.
DO NOT LET BALLOONS BECOME LITTER!
Datos Sobre Los Globos
Existen dos tipos de globos:
~ Los globos de aluminio están hechos de poliéster y no son
biodegradables.
~ Los globos de látex son fabricados de la savia de los árboles de hule
mas tampoco son biodegradables y tardan de 6 meses hasta 2 años en
desintegrarse. Otro dato importante es que una vez que estos globos
hayan hecho contacto con el agua salada el proceso de descomposición
es aún más lento.
• Una eliminación adecuada de los globos
brindará protección a la vida silvestre y los
animales domésticos.
• La liberación de globos es también
prohibida por varias autoridades en
diferentes partes del mundo.
¡NO PERMITAS QUE LOS GLOBOS SE
CONVIERTAN EN BASURA DAÑINA!
Page 15
Up, Up, and Away...
ALTERNATIVES TO
BALLOON RELEASES
If you’ve already bought balloons, how about doing
these events instead of having a balloon release?
• Prize Balloon Popping: Hide a few prizes inside air-filled balloons.
Release balloons indoors and let everyone pop them to find a prize.
This also works well with choosing raffle ticket winners.
• Balloon Relay: Each member of a team has to run a short distance
and sit on a balloon to pop it before running back to tag the next
member of the team. The first team to pop all their balloons wins!
• Balloon Sculpture: Use your balloons to make an unusual, but fun,
sculpture.
• Balloon Art: Hire a balloon artist to create balloon animals.
• Guess the Number of Balloons: Fill a car with balloons, and the
correct guess gets a prize (could you get the local car dealer to
donate the car as a prize?).
Page 16
“Don’t let go of your balloon.”
ALTERNATIVES TO
CELEBRATING WITH
BALLOONS
Celebrate by Seeding!
“Throw wildflower seeds out.
Plant a seedling tree, and/or throw birdseed.”
- Christine M. Wert
SPED Teacher
Hubert R. Hudson Elementary School,
Brownsville, TX
For a party or event, instead of balloons we could...
• Blow bubbles
• Light candles
• Fly paper airplanes
• Fly kites
• Hold an egg hunt
For a charity or business promotion,
instead of a mass balloon release, we could...
• Plant a tree or flower garden
• Adopt a sea turtle or zoo animal
• Sponsor a butterfly or ladybug release
• Organize a community cleanup
Credit: Marine Conservation Society
Page 17
Up, Up, and Away...
Decorate
Your Own
Balloon
Decora tu
propio globo
Write Your Own Poem
Escribe tu propio poema
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
A Big Red Balloon
_______________________________________________
The strangest thing happened last Friday at noon;
It began with a boy and his big red balloon.
_______________________________________________
I watched as he walked down the street with great care,
Protecting his prize from the sun’s red hot glare.
Just as the bells of the church started pealing,
He floated straight up past the puffy cloud ceiling.
I heard that he landed far, far away,
In a town that serves cookies and milk every day.
I’m thinking of buying a big red balloon,
And might take a walk next Friday at noon.
- Rita Bourland
Page 18
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
“Don’t let go of your balloon.”
Questions/ Preguntas
Please answer these questions:
1. What would you tell a friend who was going to release a balloon? _ __________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
2. How can we make people aware of the dangers of balloon releases? _ ________________
__________________________________________________________________
Favor de contestar las siguientes preguntas:
1. ¿Qué le dirías a un amigo que iba a poner en libertad un globo? _________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
2. ¿Cómo podemos hacer que la gente tome conciencia de los peligros de soltar globos al aire? _
__________________________________________________________________
How many words can you make
from the word BALLOONS?
__________
___________
___________
____________
__________
___________
___________
____________
__________
___________
___________
____________
Page 19
Up, Up, and Away...
S
E
A
D
R
R
C
O
H
W ENGLISH
FIND THE WORDS IN THE PUZZLE BELOW.
THE WORDS READ UP, DOWN AND ACROSS.
ANSWERS TO PUZZLE
Page 20
“Don’t let go of your balloon.”
S
E
A
D
R
R
C
O
W EN ESPAÑOL H
ENCUENTRA LAS PALABRAS EN EL ROMPECABEZAS.
LAS PALABRAS SE LEEN HACIA ARRIBA, ABAJO Y A TRAVÉS.
RESPUESTAS DEL ROMPECABEZAS
Page 21
Up, Up, and Away...
SURFRIDER FOUNDATION
The Surfrider Foundation is a non-profit
environmental organization that is dedicated to the
protection and enjoyment of the world’s oceans,
waves and beaches by ALL people through activism,
education, preservation and research. Started in
California in 1984, the Surfrider Foundation has 30
national chapters and over 50,000 members. There are
also international affiliates in Japan, Australia, Europe
and Brazil.
The South Texas Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation
was established in 2005 in response to the possible
development of Isla Blanca Park on South Padre Island
into a Casino and Marina. Since then the South Texas
Chapter has been busy protecting local beaches and
public beach accesses. In 2006, we adopted Dolphin
Cove in Isla Blanca Park through the Texas General Land
Office’s Beach Guardian Program and hold multiple
beach cleanups there annually. In 2010, we suggested
and got the county to implement the Cash for Trash
program on the northern County Beaches.
We have also been very involved in helping the City
of South Padre Island develop their continuous dune
line. These dunes will help protect the island in a major
storm, provide habitat for local flora and fauna and help
the beaches recover after a hurricane or tropical storm
has passed. In 2011, we have helped organize 400
volunteers plant 44,000 new dune plants over 80,000
square feet of new dunes.
Every June the South Texas Chapter holds a free
surf clinic for local and visiting children to introduce
them to the wonderful sport of surfing and to show the
kids how much fun the ocean can be. We also take that
opportunity to educate the children and the parents
on the importance of our beaches and why it is so
important to take care of them and not trash them!
These are just a few of the things the South Texas
Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation has done and
continues to do. However, we do have a message for
everyone out there. Please take whatever you take
to the beach back with you and properly dispose of
it. Trashing the beaches of South Padre Island make for
a sick environment that is not enjoyable to the birds,
the fishes or even the people. What is even better?
UNLITTER! To unlitter is to throw away and dispose of
more trash than you brought yourself. By unlittering,
you will help the beach and you yourself will feel better!
Most of all enjoy our beaches and have fun this
summer on South Padre Island!
www.surfrider.org/southtexas • www.robnixon.blogspot.com
Page 22
“Don’t let go of your balloon.”
SEA TURTLE, INC.
Sea Turtle, Inc. is pleased to support this
We are funded solely by donations and
booklet on the Dangers of Balloon Releases located at 6617 Padre Blvd. Visit us for an upand a healthier environment. Each year, close look at these beautiful creatures and
we rehabilitate injured sea turtles that have learn of other ways you can help them survive.
ingested plastics, balloons, fishing line, and
other marine debris. Swimming the oceans for
millions of years, the turtles have only recently
been exposed to pollution. We can all do our
part in preserving these endangered species
by keeping our trash in its proper place and
recycling when possible.
Sea Turtle, Inc. is a non-profit organization
dedicated to: rehabilitating injured sea
turtles for return to the wild, educating the
public about sea turtles and their marine
environment, and assisting with conservation
efforts for all marine turtle species. Open to
the public Tuesday through Sunday from
10am to 4pm, we encourage you to visit our
sea turtle rescue center on South Padre Island.
www.seaturtleinc.org
Page 23
Up, Up, and Away...
The following quotes about the dangers of
balloon releases were submitted by citizenry
within and outside of our community.
“Living in a coastal city, I have become aware of how important it is to
have a balance between land, its people, and the sea. Without our ocean,
we would not survive as human beings. Our most crucial source for life
comes from the ocean. We rely on it for food, for ingredients for every day
items, and so on. It contains a complex ecosystem which people have
tampered with throughout history. As a result, our ocean is in danger.
Indicator species, which let us know if the ocean's ecosystem is in good
health, are dying out. Oil spills have polluted our waters while over-fishing
has damaged the food chain. There is a floating mass of trash the size of
Texas trapped in the Pacific Ocean. Why would we want to litter an already
suffering ocean with balloons? ‘What goes up must come down.’ Releasing
hundreds of balloons into the air creates danger. Where they end up is
no surprise, and we are simply adding to the floating island of trash and
the suffering of marine mammals. As enjoyable as balloons may be, we
must remember to keep them indoors and throw them away. Our world
is fragile, and we are given the task of taking care of it, land and ocean. “
Allison Pace (National Geographic's JASON Project
Argonaut Operation: Resilient Planet, and Brown
University award winner for Social Action in Spreading
Environmental Awareness)
Senior at St. Joseph Academy
Brownsville, TX
“The joy of a balloon release may last a few moments, but the devastation
to the environment, especially marine life, lasts so much longer! Our
proximity to the Gulf of Mexico demands that we protect our marine life;
stopping balloon releases is a simple and necessary step.”
Sandra Morfitt
Science Educator and Consultant
Episcopal Day School
Brownsville, TX
“Wake up America!!! Releasing Balloons may seem fun, but do we think
of what will happen when the balloon pops? Stop and think about how
important our sea life animals are to our Earth and lives. Do you love
going to South Padre Island and seeing the turtles? Well, there might not
be anymore because of the danger the balloons have on our sea life. So
PLEASE stop releasing balloons that will harm our sea life.”
Kennedi L. Benavides
3rd grader at A.X. Benavides Elementary School
Brownsville, TX Page 24
“Increasingly, environmental lifestyle changes have long-term success
when driven from “grassroots” efforts. This is a wonderful example of how
small steps taken by individuals can make a big difference and greatly
reduce the negative impact of ‘fugitive’ balloons.”
Buddy Garcia
Texas Commissioner on Environmental Quality (TCEQ)
Austin, TX
“I think some of the animals in the ocean wouldn’t die if we didn’t let
the balloons go to the sky. People shouldn’t let go of balloons because
they might think that they’re going to outer space, but they’re not. After
awhile, the balloons come down and land in the ocean. Animals might
think they’re food. After they eat them, the balloons go to their guts, and
they can’t breathe.”
Jose Angel Hernandez
4th grader at Bruce Aiken Elementary School
Brownsville, TX
"We do not inherit the earth from our
ancestors; we borrow it from
our children."
- Ancient Indian Proverb