We are certainly very short minded. When I was young I used to pick up trash and throw it in the trash bin if I saw it laying on the street. I gave up hope pretty quickly.

The problem has to be handled from the root. Government restrictions will be the only way - we are inviting smartphones and satellites that we send into space - surely we can find some better solution than the plastic bag. I guess the oil industries hope that solution will take a long time to find ...