In 1986, California passed Proposition 65. The legislation forced companies that sell products with chemicals linked to cancer and birth defects to label them as such. While the legislation was originally a gigantic win for environmentalists, these days it's a running joke. Cancer warnings adorn everything from organic soaps to steering wheel covers, bikinis, parking garages, Disney Land, and much more.

Proposition 65 is a case study in the ways in which good intention advocacy can go woefully wrong. Do consumers have a right to know and, if so, do we truly *want* to know? What lessons can we learn from California, and how can environmentalists both push for policy change and avoid the pitfalls associated with Prop 65?

Here's a preview:

[5:45] California as a leader in environmental action, plus a brief history leading up to the passage of Proposition 65 

[14:00] What went wrong: 3 controversies associated with Proposition 65

[21:00] Has the law yielded any positive change at all? (Yes, here's how.)

Resources mentioned/Further reading:

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.