Well, there's obviously a lack of recognition of ecological problems in the US, at least as compared to (most of?) Europe, but it didn't used to be this way. It's only become an issue in the last 15-20 years. I can even understand giving straws by default to little kids, as they can have trouble manipulating a full glass, but, when I was a kid, they'd even ask if I wanted a straw, not put one in every drink I got.