Forty years ago today, (July 1st, 1984) a CSIRO film came out,
The amount of carbon dioxide in the air was roughly 345ppm. As of 2024 it is 426ppm, but check here for daily measures.
The context was that Australian scientists had been trying to raise the alarm since the late 70s. The CSIRO had worked with the ABC and in 1976 released a documentary called “A Change in Climate”,which had looked at both concern over a new Ice Age and carbon-induced warming.
And in 1980, the Australian Academy of Science had held a two day conference in Canberra in 1981. CSIRO had released a monograph by Brian Tucker, about the so-called “Carbon Dioxide problem.” Unbeknownst to the public had also been the Office of National assessments. Greenhouse Effect report and of course, the CSIRO in the mid 70s had made a documentary called a Change of Climate.
What we learn – the simple fact is that we knew but we couldn’t see a way to do anything.
What happened next. The film was well-received, circulated in schools etc. See interview with Russell Porter.
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:
July 1, 1950 – “Is the World Getting Warmer?” asks Saturday Evening Post
July 1, 1957- A key “year” in climate science begins…
July 1, 1983 – Australian High Court “saves” Franklin River (it woz the activists wot won it)