Banning Plastic Bags

That the use of plastic bags harms the environment is of course a no brainer. The use of just about anything, the existence of human life itself harms the environment.

Which means that the question isn't whether we should ban something that harms said environment. It's to find something which performs the desired function and harms the environment less than alternative methods.

At which point, on the subject of plastic bags, I would refer you to this:

The making of paper can waste many thousands of gallons of water, as can the recycling of paper. The human and mechanical efforts and costs are very high, not forgetting the physical cost to loggers and those who work around the numerous chemicals. Plastic is, by comparison, efficient and low energy to produce, and, easily and efficiently recycled. Plastic reduces, recycles marvelously, and in that, is reused. After contrasting the efforts behind the making of paper and plastic, it is our unbiased opinion that plastic is indeed more beneficial to the environment, in that it is less harmful. The next time you are asked the dreaded question, "Paper or plastic?", you can answer knowing that you are making the informed choice.

So, err, all of this talk of banning plastic bags would seem to be in error then, yes?

As ever, we shouldn't be allowing politicians to decide for us which technology we should use. They're simply not very good at it.