Balloon record bid stopped by climate change campaigners

PLANS to release 130,000 balloons for a New Year’s Eve celebration in Manila headlined by Pete Tong, the British DJ, were dropped last night after protesters raised environmental concerns over the amount of plastic waste that would be caused by the stunt.

Organisers at the Philippines capital’s Cove Club had hoped to create a new world record but backed down amid a growing outcry on social media.

Initially the organisers tried to press ahead with the indoor event, arguing that all the balloons were biodegradable and would be recycled, but later changed tack after an intervention by the Philippines government.

The management of the Okada Manila, the sprawling hotel complex that hosts the club, said it had “voluntarily” decided to cancel the attempt “as a sign of respect” for the government’s campaign to protect the environment.

The decision came after the hotel received a letter from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources encouraging a change of plan.

Public pressure had mounted on the hotel, with one petition garnering tens of thousands of signatures before the announcement that the balloon drop was to be called off.

One local climate change pressure group, the Climate Reality Project Philippines, said that the drop “must not be tolerated” and was “wasteful and unsustainable”.

Tong accepted the decision, confirming the decision to cancel by posting his thanks on Twitter to “all of you who raised concerns” about the drop.

The show, which costs 2,000 Philippine peso (£30) for general admission or 4,000 (£60) for VIP entry, was due to continue as planned.