Stop the Palestinian ... pollution

Paul Russell
National Post -- Letters

If you were going to criticize the Palestinian government, would it be for their abysmal leadership abilities, their perplexing inability to provide for their people despite massive amounts of foreign aid, their failure to reach a peaceful settlement with Israel … or would you attack their environmental record?

If you chose the fourth option, you will find common cause with the New York Whale and Dolphin Action League. That group recently sent the Post a letter, criticizing the Palestinian government for releasing some balloons to mark a holiday. Religious strife, poverty, suicide bombing, latex pollution … I guess they are all on the same level. Here's the letter in question.

-- Paul Russell, NP letters editor

" We are outraged and deeply saddened that the Palestinian government chose to symbolize a national event with the environmentally reckless release of tens of thousands of large pieces of litter — balloons — into the atmosphere!

It is not "just OK" to have released 21,915 black balloons for this event. In fact, the release of balloons should never to be condoned or applauded, whatever the occasion, however strong, or tragic, the sentiments of the moment may be.

Latex balloons may take a year or more to deteriorate, while often the ribbons and strings, as well as Mylar balloons, never degrade in the environment. 70% of the time airborne balloons fall to the earth over the oceans, or another body of water.

The wet wriggly fragments of deflated balloons resemble jellyfish, plankton or even vegetation and are frequently eaten by ever-hungry sea birds, endangered sea turtles, marine mammals and even fish. Balloon fragments are part of the usual non-degraded synthetic contents found in the stomachs or intestines of dead whales, birds and other marine animals.

... the press should also ask how many marine mammals, sea birds or endangered turtles will become the victims of an unnecessary and thoughtless massive balloon release from afar! Wildlife are not fighting this battle, have nothing to do with the problems in the Middle East and do not deserve to become victims, no matter how impassioned is the "cause"."

Taffy Williams, Director, New York Whale and Dolphin Action League.

James Morton
1100 - 5255 Yonge Street
Toronto, Ontario
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