VectorVictor Posted September 24, 2014 Share Posted September 24, 2014 Just had someone send this to me this morning, found it interesting. A UNL English Teacher and Environmentalist is calling for the Balloon Tradition to be replaced due to the new balloons not being bio-degradable. The petition says the “supposedly biodegradable latex” balloons travel hundreds to thousands of miles, posing a risk of ensnaring wildlife with their ribbons. Explaining his support for the petition, Vogt wrote about a red balloon that landed in his garden after a September 2012 football game that was supposed to be part of a final sendoff to the tradition...He and his wife buried the balloon in a vegetable bed to see how long it would take to decompose, then dug it out in December 2013. “The balloon was intact, with no holes or fading to the ink,” he wrote. Now, why is this posted here and not, say, in the football section? Because there are certain folks that don't understand that politics don't belong in that forum, and anything environmental seems to devolve with certain folks into something less than desirable. IMO if the balloons are being advertised as biodegradable and we have examples where that isn't the case, then this should be investigated by the University and changes made if these new biodegradable balloons are not as advertised. As to whether the replacement is going to actual, proven biodegradable balloons, or replacing the tradition completely, I don't know. But as innocuous as it sounds, I've heard of farmers in central and western Nebraska having problems with livestock ingesting deflated balloons that have landed in their field (not known if it's a balloon from DoNU or not) and ultimately killing said livestock. Link to comment
Minnesota_husker Posted September 24, 2014 Share Posted September 24, 2014 Great... We are going to start blowing bubbles when they score now so it will be "Environmentally friendly" Get some latex that is biodegradable and problem is solved. Link to comment
It'sNotAFakeID Posted September 24, 2014 Share Posted September 24, 2014 Is this really an issue of great magnitude? Like do 25 cows die after every Husker game? Link to comment
Minnesota_husker Posted September 24, 2014 Share Posted September 24, 2014 Is this really an issue of great magnitude? Like do 25 cows die after every Husker game? It depends on how the offense played that day. Link to comment
Creighton Duke Posted September 24, 2014 Share Posted September 24, 2014 Is this really an issue of great magnitude? Like do 25 cows die after every Husker game? Compared to a lot of the nonsense that gets posted in the B.S. section, I'd say this is definitely an issue of magnitude. This problem needs to be addressed. Link to comment
VectorVictor Posted September 24, 2014 Author Share Posted September 24, 2014 Is this really an issue of great magnitude? Like do 25 cows die after every Husker game? No, but these balloons, if they're not biodegradable as they claim to be, would be negatively impacting wildlife and the environment. Just because it's out of sight doesn't mean there is zero impact. Part of the problem is that there was a big push years ago to make sure the balloons were biodegradable, and the University assured everyone that they are. Now there is evidence, albeit limited so far, that suggests otherwise. To me, that merits an investigation. As for replacements, if the balloons aren't truly biodegradable, then get some that are, and verity that they are before we switch and UNL announces that 'hey, they're *REALLY* biodegradable this time, we promise!" Otherwise, perhaps it's time for a new tradition... Link to comment
carlfense Posted September 24, 2014 Share Posted September 24, 2014 His best point is that it is littering under Nebraska law. I've wondered about that myself. Link to comment
deedsker Posted September 24, 2014 Share Posted September 24, 2014 I figured this would be about helium. The fact that helium is a dwindling supply with no new reserves found, I figured this tradition would have ended long ago. Link to comment
StPaulHusker Posted September 24, 2014 Share Posted September 24, 2014 So I put a Corn Nation article about this in the Husker Football Sub Forum. Mods, feel free to merge if you deem appropriate. I didn't see this before I posted. Link to comment
sd'sker Posted September 24, 2014 Share Posted September 24, 2014 His best point is that it is littering under Nebraska law. I've wondered about that myself. i always assumed everyone retrieved their own balloon. 1 Link to comment
It'sNotAFakeID Posted September 24, 2014 Share Posted September 24, 2014 Is this really an issue of great magnitude? Like do 25 cows die after every Husker game? No, but these balloons, if they're not biodegradable as they claim to be, would be negatively impacting wildlife and the environment. Just because it's out of sight doesn't mean there is zero impact. Part of the problem is that there was a big push years ago to make sure the balloons were biodegradable, and the University assured everyone that they are. Now there is evidence, albeit limited so far, that suggests otherwise. To me, that merits an investigation. As for replacements, if the balloons aren't truly biodegradable, then get some that are, and verity that they are before we switch and UNL announces that 'hey, they're *REALLY* biodegradable this time, we promise!" Otherwise, perhaps it's time for a new tradition... Weird that we wouldn't use biodegradable balloons. I like the balloon tradition and don't want to see that nixed. Link to comment
NUpolo8 Posted September 24, 2014 Share Posted September 24, 2014 Hey, Deena Winter and Brandon Vogt, Link to comment
VectorVictor Posted September 24, 2014 Author Share Posted September 24, 2014 Is this really an issue of great magnitude? Like do 25 cows die after every Husker game? No, but these balloons, if they're not biodegradable as they claim to be, would be negatively impacting wildlife and the environment. Just because it's out of sight doesn't mean there is zero impact. Part of the problem is that there was a big push years ago to make sure the balloons were biodegradable, and the University assured everyone that they are. Now there is evidence, albeit limited so far, that suggests otherwise. To me, that merits an investigation. As for replacements, if the balloons aren't truly biodegradable, then get some that are, and verity that they are before we switch and UNL announces that 'hey, they're *REALLY* biodegradable this time, we promise!" Otherwise, perhaps it's time for a new tradition... Weird that we wouldn't use biodegradable balloons. I like the balloon tradition and don't want to see that nixed. Supposedly we do, as per an article StPaulHusker linked to on the thread in the football forum. That's why this petition and the claims are interesting. Figured the mods would have already diverted traffic over here since, well, people can start to get a little chippy when it comes to hot button topics like the environment. Link to comment
Count 'Bility Posted September 24, 2014 Share Posted September 24, 2014 His best point is that it is littering under Nebraska law. I've wondered about that myself. i always assumed everyone retrieved their own balloon. Now i know who that goofy thing is wondering around after games in the fields between lincoln and ceresco. I'll give you a ride next time. Link to comment
darkhorse85 Posted September 24, 2014 Share Posted September 24, 2014 These latex balloons are the type most commonly found in the stomachs of dead animals, as their fallen remains mimic their food I know, right? I've stopped putting down corn and mineral blocks near my trail cams. I've replaced these things with latex balloons and you would not believe what I've got in store come November. 1 Link to comment
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