Why do we need straws?

Last week, I received an email from a parent in response to an article I’d written for the Commentary section of The Phillipian.  I’d written an article about climate change and how the US’s efforts compare to Europe’s in being environmentally conscious.  In the email I received, a link was shared about plastic straws.  This short video expresses the relevancy of straws in American dining, but challenges the real purpose of straws and weighs whether the consequences of incorrect disposal are worth the convenience. 

http://www.strawsfilm.com/

A week after watching the video, I’m still wondering, why do restaurants serve glasses with a plastic straw?  The boy in the video stated it beautifully: because we don’t want to lift the cup our face.  This reason sounded a little ridiculous at first, but I think there is truth in this statement.  While straws might make sense with someone with a neck injury, restaurants usually serve every drink with a straw, whether it be a glass of water, milk, juice, or soda.  It's a range, certain restaurants are certainly very conscious about their carbon footprint. However, it’s amazing how one little straw can affect terrestrial and aquatic life. In the video, a straw was caught in the nostril of a sea turtle.  It’s amazing how something that seems so irrelevant in our lives can affect aquatic life. 

There have been petitionings at local restaurants to stop serving drinks with plastic straws and in many instances this has been successful.  I don't think change has to be this large scale.  I think small commitments will also make an impact. I plan on telling the waiters at restaurants that straws won’t be necessary for our drinks.  Every straw we can save can make a difference.  The parents who emailed me also said in her household she uses glass straws, which are reusable.  Is it feasible for restaurants to use glass straws?  Afterall, why do we need straws?