Plastic straws aren't that big of a problem. They aren't hurting the environment as much as, say, some corporations are. Besides, some disabled people need plastic straws to drink, and I almost never see people bring this up in this discussion. I say they need "plastic" straws because the alternatives aren't good. You can't drink hot or warm liquids with a metal straw, and paper straws dissolve in liquids. It's simple chemistry. I've seen places like Starbucks give away plastic cups with plastic lids which is just more plastic. If you care so much about the ocean and turtles, maybe you should start protesting corporations dumping waste into the ocean instead of getting heated about plastic straws.
MadisonH—DLB

I agree. Large corporations want the general population to believe that it is our responsibility to reduce our resource consumption, like using less straws. The main focus should be on pressuring large corporations to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. If the focus is instead on the ways in which the general population can mitigate their impact, then there will be less pressure on the corporations.

I agree that people should not put so much focus on things that do not have a significant negative affect on climate change, such as plastic straws. The most important factor is the world economy's dependence on fossil fuels which is increasing the Co2 in the atmosphere. This is what causes the array of environmental impacts that lead to climate change. Focus should be put on switching to more renewable energy, and after corporations that produce the waste.

I definitely agree with all of the above comments. I think a big issue about the whole discussion of plastic straws is how it was really taken over by social media. Good intentions don't always necessarily lead to helpful solutions, and social media often tends to promote sensationalized, peer motivated behavior. So, even though plastic straws aren't great for the environment, the fact that so many people hopped onto the trend of eliminating them, seeing it as the one environmental topic they could contribute to, was extremely problematic and definitely distracted from some much more important issues. Overall, it took attention away from the big corporations, and, as previously stated, placed blame on the consumer. Though we can all do our part to help mitigate climate change, we also have to make sure our priorities lie in the most helpful and beneficial solutions. We need to demand more from the biggest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions, as well as change and be extremely mindful of our own individual lifestyles.

While I do agree with all the above comments in regards to the bigger picture... large corporations and their greenhouse gas emissions, our dependence on fossil fuels and all other major contributing facts to global warming. However, straws are a issue, waste is a issue. Even if it is not the main factor in the grand scheme of the environments demise there is still something to be said about using metal, paper and reusable straws. Even if its one small step for the environment its good. I don't think that all focus has been lost on the bigger picture by people pushing to ban plastic straws. I think it lets people on a smaller scale feel like they are contributing to a solution, or at least helping the environment in some way. Yes, straws are not the answer to global warming. This entire issue with straws and turtles started by one video going viral, the video showed a sea turtle with a straw stuck up its nose. This one video opened up the minds of millions. Straws are one of the top 10 items found in the ocean, and recorded during yearly cleanup surveys. Breaking this down.... it is estimated that 8 million metric tonnes of plastic enter the ocean every year, it is believed that by the year 2050 there will be MORE PLASTIC THAN FISH.(Ocean Conservancy)

Yes, straws and turtles when looked at up against large scale issues like green house emissions by large corporations pales in comparison. It is still a issue and is nothing short of amazing how this one video sparked such a up rise against single use straws. Even if it was follwed by some as a fad or trend it still has had a positive effect. Its only a matter of time before more and more people start opening their eyes and minds to the downfall of the environment.

While I see where your're coming from saying plastic straws aren't really a problem is one misconception that BILLIONS of people are making. Those billions of people are causing tons of plastic waste that comes from straws as well as other plastic products. There was a post I saw he other day on social media that said "it's just one straw-'said 7.3 billion people'" and that is a definite problem in my eyes. Especially since these days there are plenty of alternatives to use that reduce impact on the environment, such as, metal, silicone, paper and compostable straws that are easy to find and relatively cheap to acquire.

I agree that plastic straws are definitely not the main issue. Banning them certainly isn't gonna do a whole lot to stop climate change; however, I think that the fact that many people are advocating for them to be banned and have stopped using them is a step in the right direction. It shows how people are becoming more environmentally conscious which is good to see.

While banning plastic straws may not do a ton to decrease our carbon footprint, I still believe that we should do everything in our power to stop global warming. Just because banning plastic straws is a small step, it does not mean that it is not a worthwhile step. No matter how small of an impact it may make, that impact is certainly better than no impact at all.