To think we are getting inferior products in the name of "environmentally friendly"

[Keyansier]

Just as the title says really. I do think it is very scary and sad for countries that have floods and fires and experience other extreme weather but is that enough reason for example, in this country, for a ban on plastic straws? Nobody I know even likes paper straws, I certainly don't. Does anyone else think that people might care more about this issue if products weren't changed for inferior versions without public consultation and people didn't get looked down upon or made to feel bad for not wanting to recycle?

@WiIson are you the op? You seem to have some similarities with his posting style - statements as questions and a general air of obtuseness.

Just drink things that don’t need a straw and problem solved. I can’t remember the last time I drank through a straw.

I don't use plastic straws but hate paper ones.

I don’t want to be a doom monger but feel I need to point out that;

• this isn’t a ‘them’ problem. It’s an all of us problem. Those in already hot countries will suffer more (prompting mass migration and GLOBAL instability) but in the UK we are and will be affected too. We already are seeing higher death rates in heat waves, harder to grow food, people flooded out of their homes etc. it’s only going to get worse.

ukhealthalliance.org/news-item/ukhacc-bulletin-september-2022/

www.lancetcountdown.org/2022-report/

Basically we are setting ourselves and our kids up for a world where food is harder to grow, risk of injury, illness and premature death is higher and wars are more likely.

It’s also urgent. An emergency. Tipping points where rises in temp cause irreversible worsening of climate chaos are happening already. Climate scientists have been proven right and have even mostly underestimated how quickly and how badly this would happen. We are all in a state of joint denial about this sadly (watch ‘Don’t Look Up’ film - funny but true).

• recycling and using a paper straw is the very least we need to be doing. Here’s what you CAN do…

www.imperial.ac.uk/stories/climate-action/

• carbon offsetting is mostly making things worse. It is just an excuse to keep consuming. I can’t find the link to back me up on that though sorry. Often the trees that are planted are all of one type creating a monoculture and reducing bio-diversity. Often they are not looked after and die. Companies are buying up valuable crop growing land to do it.

Plastic straws are just a tiny tiny sacrifice to make. We NEED to so much more - make one small step at a time if it feels daunting. Lots of actions are easy and involve being very lazy - don’t bother booking that extra weekend away on a plane, don’t bother buying that extra pair of shoes you like but don’t need.

We could hijack this thread with positive stories of those small or big changes we are making and encourage each other…

Ill kick off, I have one pair of winter boots and have had them for years and am looking after them so they last even longer.

All the best OP

No.

Are you?

We could hijack this thread with positive stories of those small or big changes we are making and encourage each other…

I watched an episode of panorama recently, 'is the cloud damaging the planet'

It's a disturbing watch. One of the things it highlighted was our internet usage. Apparently performing two Google searches can generate about the same amount of carbon dioxide as boiling a kettle.

There's more. Much more. None of it good. I wonder how many people would give up their devices and online world for a cleaner safer planet?

I wonder if highjacking this thread with positive stories of how environmentally good people are would actually be counter productive.

Still laughing at @Keyansier thinking he's had plastic straws hoisted on him!

Hoisted indeed! 😂😂

Did you really just question whether masses of people dying was a "good enough reason" to have to use a straw you don't really like?

I think it's a reasonable question when so much damage is caused by the other things we use. Like the internet. Why don't people give that up? The environment would thank you for it.

The best thing you can do for the environment is give up living. We don't have to give up everything though. We generally need the internet for lots of things. Nobody needs a plastic straw.

You're welcome to give up the internet and let us know how you get on.

Which answers the question. There's obviously no point on giving it up or drastically cutting down if the rest of the world refuses.
But it does show that when it really comes to making the world better, cleaner, safer, no one really gives a shit. Even those who earnestly lecture others about plastic straws, name call etc. It's all just posturing.

We generally need the internet for lots of things. It's useful for some things. But the majority of stuff, which is pretty much like this, it's not needed at all. Just like plastic straws.

I don't get the obsession with straws. I don't want a straw in my drink. Fair enough if it's something with a lid like from McDonald's etc but if I have a glass of white wine with soda I hate the fact that it comes with a straw

Anyway, its well worth a watch, for those who want to try and make change, and for those who want to be aware but also realise that nothing will change anyway.
I'm not interested in the hand wringing over the plastic straws etc though when there's this elephant in the room.

Sorry but we need the internet. Without satellites and other spacecraft I'd be out of a job 😂

I'm with you though. We all need to with give up as we don't really give two hoots.

So why not join me in not making the planet any better but accelerating our demise. If we put enough stuff in space, there'll be so much up there we'll not be able to visit other planets and ruin them too.

We need wild abandon and increased consumption not less. It's much more fun than using paper straws anyways.

SamanthaCaine 🤣 that sounds like a good plan under the circumstances.

I support an elderly lady who has to use plastic straws for her hot drinks. I dread when she has none left and no options to buy anymore as paper straws will be no good as they will turn to mush and metal will be too dangerous for her mouth.

You can still buy them online winterstar

You can buy reusable plastic straws.

So floods and fires are fine as long as you can use a plastic straw? 😂😂😂

I am quite happy to make some changes in my life if it means my kids will have enough to eat in 30 years time.

YANBU. All this “environmentally friendly” stuff is bollocks and if a product is promoted that way I won’t buy it a) because I know it’ll be shit and b) because I don’t approve of their ridiculous cause.

With all due respect @Crispyturtle if you reread my OP you'll see that's not quite what I said actually.

Completely agree. They're just trying to seek attention and approval from social media.