This paper puts the environment into perspective. Politicians and commentators see the environment as yesterday's issue, forgetting that the core of environmental activists is still double the level of just five years ago. International comparisons stretching from Poland to New Zealand are made, examining the public's environmental behavior, attitudes and values. Using Great Britain as a case study, detailed comparisons are made between the attitudes of the general public with journalists, the financial community, captains of industry, and Members of Parliament and the latter then compared with Members of the European Parliament. The public is demanding action by companies and by governments on environmental issues and has little faith in either to take corrective action.