On this day forty long long years ago, an OECD conference about the environment and economics began in Paris.
Report on the International Conference on Environment and Economics, OECD, Paris, France, 18-21 June 1984
The amount of carbon dioxide in the air was roughly 344ppm. As of 2024 it is 426ppm, but check here for daily measures.
The context was the Brundtland Commission was underway, and transborder issues (acid rain especially) were exercising European wonks.
What we learn
BFWRs (Big Fat Worthy Reports) keep coming round. And around. And around. The production and reception of them creates networking opportunities and distractions for a certain class of person who might – theoretically at least – be a problem otherwise…
What happened next
The Brundtland Commission released its “Our Common Future” report in 1987. The following year, the climate issue burst to life. And we are not saved.
What do you think? Does this pass the ‘so what?’ threshold? Have I got facts wrong? Interpretation wrong? Please do comment on this post, unless you are a denialist, obvs.
Also on this day:
June 18, 1976- UK Meteorological Office explains things to Cabinet Office
June 18, 2008 – Carbon Capture and Storage is going to save Australia. Oh yes.