NC Youth for Clear Skies and Seas

Ready to fight pollution?

Sign the petition.

Advocating for North Carolina’s beloved ecosystems.

NC Youth for Clear Skies and Seas is dedicated to eradicating pollution in the ecosystems we call home. Balloon releases send toxic and unnecessary waste to our landscapes. We call for the immediate passage of a law banning balloon releases in North Carolina to protect natural resources and human health.

Join the Movement

Actions

Petition

Add your name to support the ban of balloon releases.

Sign-On Letter

Join our coalition of

organizations and businesses against balloon pollution.

Curriculum

Teach elementary, middle, and high school students about pollution and advocacy.

Host an Event

Bring our experts to you in-person in the Triangle, or over video anywhere.

Sources
  1. Kemp’s ridley after ingesting a balloon. (2026). Balloons Blow; Mote Marine Laboratory. https://balloonsblow.org/photo-gallery/gallery/balloons-blow-gallery/
  2. Schuyler, Q., Hardesty, B. D., Wilcox, C., & Townsend, K. (2012). To Eat or Not to Eat? Debris Selectivity by Marine Turtles. PLoS ONE, 7(7), e40884. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0040884
  3. Trapani, C., Register K., O’Hara, K., Huntington, Z. (2025). Littered Balloons in Virginia’s Coastal Environment: 2014 to 2024 monitoring results, Fisherman Island, Virginia. Clean Virginia Waterways, Virginia Beach, VA.
  4. University of Tasmania. “Balloons the number 1 marine debris risk of mortality for seabirds.” ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 1 March 2019. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/03/190301084847.htm.
  5. Balloon Policy Toolkit. (2022, June 15). Surfrider Foundation. https://ee5-files.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/publications/Balloon-Policy-Toolkit-061622-Final.pdf
  6. Balloon Pollution. (2026). Balloons Blow. https://balloonsblow.org/photo-gallery/gallery/balloons-blow-gallery-10/
  7. Lavers, J., & Gilmour, M. (2020, August 17). We composted “biodegradable” balloons. Here’s what we found after 16 weeks. The Conversation. https://theconversation.com/we-composted-biodegradable-balloons-heres-what-we-found-after-16-weeks-138731
  8. Legislation. (2025, September 1). Balloon Mission. https://balloonmission.org/legislation/

Partners

get involved

Youth Team

Passionate for the environment? Love to be outdoors? Join us!

North Carolinians ages 18-22 are encouraged to join NC Youth for Clear Skies and Seas to directly advance our mission. Team members assist by facilitating educational events, documenting balloon litter, creating outreach media, researching policies, and expanding our network.

No experience with policy work or environmental studies needed. Bring enthusiasm for teamwork, leadership, and our planet.

Learn More

NC Youth for Clear Skies and Seas is a coalition of young people, organizations, and businesses across North Carolina urgently calling for a balloon release ban to protect public health, infrastructure, and natural resources.

Join the Movement

Donate here