Sky Lanterns Are Stunning But Bad For Earth. Here’s Why.

[@Goldthread]

What do you think about flying sky lanterns?

[@jodycarrithers6160]

I think that this question about sky lanterns fits the age old test that one should give to anything they might do, either individually or as a group. If it's being done in MODERATION, it's probably perfectly fine...even if it's something that COULD be dangerous. I think sending these up to the tune of some 600,000, all at once, every year, plus setting off untold numbers every day for tourist purposes...it's probably a bad thing. Now, where I live, in the Midwest of the United States, it's only once in a rare moon that you see people setting Chinese Lanterns aloft. They really are quite beautiful to behold. Usually it's only a small group of 20 or 50 people. I think I've seen 3 or 4 groups of people setting these aloft in my entire lifetime (I'm over 30). So, I think those numbers are well within what I call "moderation". But, the numbers being sent up in the sky in China is NOT What I would call "moderation". I definitely think they are beautiful and would hate to see them banned globally all because we couldn't, collectively, practice moderation.

[@khanhtranvan8761]

Tourist won't care about $10 . You can sell it for $15-20 and they still gonna buy it .

[@parrotcracker6629]

They should tax the lantern store owners for all the littering their products are doing.

[@Lyonessi]

I thought about this for years and finally found out more about the truth! I do hope the combustible lantern catch traction and that more people will understand the effects of setting of laterns that land on someone's head 😅

[@DSPNWtoCali]

I always thought they combust in the air. I guess whoever selling these ones were a bad quality that effect the environment. Since I thought they combust I prefer the combust lantern versus the one that could do many harm. Love the contents.

[@HealingPlaceEnergySchool]

Unfortunately these pollutants, once land, harmfully affects ocean

[@wjhung2]

Great story. I've been to Shifen and kind of assumed the current lanterns were biodegradable already since they are made of mostly paper and bamboo. I guess I was wrong. Has there been any traction on the biodegradable lanterns since this was filmed?

[@dissociativealeks]

It’s amazing how easily we ignore our environment if we don’t live where our trash ends up

[@pat-9169]

FACTS

[@grey5626]

Nice! I came up with an idea to make sky lanterns using flash paper and a fuse for use at Burning Man way back in 2009. Glad to see someone else turned it into an environmentally friendly alternative! Hopefully regulations can help mandate them and get rid of the low cost trash being sold more prominently.

[@wbwills2]

Good work. Keep at it..

[@greggsteinke4990]

Really simple. Make them out of biodegradable materials.

[@mitsuriKoi]

They did, it’s mentioned in the video…

[@whattoeat1478]

🤦‍♂🤦‍♂🤦‍♂

[@juanj.smithrobertob.sarcos1347]

Use flour and charcoal! It means they have to produce rice and ground rice or flour! Meaning it will be rice testival😁

[@flubalubaful]

Every lantern I have lit has been made of a very slim piece of bamboo and paper tissue that breaks down fast when it gets wet. There is no pollution of the environment at all, some of the lanterns you show look like they are made from foil or plastic. Change that one thing and the problem goes away.

[@Eleora1997Msia]

it will burn down a house as well.... if it land on ground with flame on it

[@arcticfoxvikingseaking2206]

The lady says its not good for the economy, but how about the tourism economy? They will stay in a local hotel, eat local food, shop at local stores.

[@Dinerro]

this is better than plastic baloon.

[@wbwills2]

Or mylar!!

[@alexfrank5331]

They should be made of paper, not plastic. lol

[@arcticfoxvikingseaking2206]

They are

[@SkyHeaven9]

Theres people went and pick them up you know that right.

[@ccwong75]

is all about FOLO, social media posting/tagging

[@jadedrealist]

Ryan's a hottie. Grrowl. Lol.

[@kumbackquatsta]

as a taiwanese, thank you white savior

[@waiyt6572]

Superstitious