I think most countries only did something when the populace was affected because it is extremely hard to get buy-in from people when they don't see any negative

I think most countries only did something when the populace was affected because it is extremely hard to get buy-in from people when they don't see any negative effects of continuing as they are. However I also see the role of the government as educating the population about the negative effects the population is not seeing yet so I don't use that to excuse the government.