'We've had so many wins': why the green movement can overcome climate crisis

Leaded petrol, acid rain, CFCs ... the last 50 years of environmental action have shown how civil society can force governments and business to change

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Leaflets printed on rather grotty" blue paper. That is how Janet Alty will always remember one of the most successful environment campaigns of modern times: the movement to ban lead in petrol.

There were the leaflets she wrote to warn parents at school gates of the dangers, leaflets to persuade voters and politicians, leaflets to drown out the industry voices saying - falsely - there was nothing to worry about.