Discover the transformative insights in *Beyond Straw Men*, the groundbreaking book by Phaedra C. Pezzullo, published by the University of California Press in 2023. This essential read confronts the complex challenges posed by plastics and the emotional burden they carry, including feelings of guilt, shame, and despair. Pezzullo takes you on a journey beyond superficial debates to uncover how affective counterpublics mobilized around plastic issues illustrate broader narratives of environmental justice and social change. Designed for both environmental activists and concerned citizens, this book emphasizes the importance of on- and offline organizing within both the Global South and Northern regions. Through engaging analysis, interviews, and advocacy campaigns from places like Bangladesh, Kenya, the US, and Vietnam, *Beyond Straw Men* explores the deep-seated crisis articulated through plastics, touching on critical topics like carbon-heavy masculinity, eco-ableism, and pollution colonialism. With compelling narratives and cogent analysis, this book empowers readers to challenge the unsustainable plastics-industrial complex and cultivate impactful cultures of care. Dive into this instrumental work that highlights the intersection of environmentalism and social justice, offering strategies for meaningful action against the pervasive plastic crisis realigning our planet’s future today.