There had been all kinds of warnings and speculations about possible climate change, in tv, radio, newspapers, magazines, reports and books. The first example I am currently aware of a government minister (as distinct from an MP) saying ‘hmm, this is something we might want to look at’ came on this day in 1968 (55 years ago). It was from Lord Kennet, a junior minister in the Department of Housing and Local Government. See here, Paul David Sims 2016 PhD thesis –
“In July 1968, Kennet wrote to the Minister of Housing and Local Government, Anthony Greenwood, to suggest ‘the possibility of having some sort of enquiry into the adequacy of our arrangements for controlling the pollution of the human environment, right across the board’. It is difficult to measure public opinion on pollution during this period, but it is clear that there was a perception within government that the public demanded action. Citing the impact of Torrey Canyon, as well as concern over pesticides, agricultural fertilisers, industrial cyanide in rivers, and ‘possible changes in macroclimate caused by the heating of the atmosphere due to industry’, Kennet noted that ‘the public disquiet which is building up on this front can be seen week after week’, and argued that the government should appoint a wide-ranging public inquiry, perhaps in the form of a Royal Commission.52” (Sims, 2016: 198) –
52 TNA: HLG 127/1193 Pollution in the Human Environment: Proposals to Set Up a Committee or Other Body to Undertake a Study (1968-69), Minute from Lord Kennet to Minister of Housing and Local Government, 15 July 1968
The amount of carbon dioxide in the air was roughly 323ppm. As of 2023 it is 423ppm, but check here for daily measures.
What we can learn
This has been going on for a very very long time. Longer than we realise.
What happened next
The first Environment White Paper, published in May 1970, mentioned carbon dioxide build-up as one thing to keep an eye on. A Department of Environment was established in October 1970.