Sixty six years ago, on this day, August 3rd, 1958, we boldly go…
On August 3, 1958, the USS Nautilus (SSN-571) made history by becoming the first ship to pass underneath the North Pole. The 1,830-mile journey was launched from Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on July 23, 1958, under the name “Operation Sunshine” and brought the sub and her crew to the shores of England in 19 days.
The amount of carbon dioxide in the air was roughly 314ppm. As of 2024 it is 424ppm, but check here for daily measures.
The context was that the bloody Ruskies had put a little ironmonger’s ball in orbit. And so therefore, the Americans needed to boldly go somewhere. In this case, it was under the North Pole in the Nautilus commanded by Captain Nemo or someone.
What we learn is that phallic objects get everywhere if they give you a sense of power.
What happened next. Residues of nuclear weapons are all around us. Operation Sunshine, etc. And the polar ice cap is… melting and melting and melting.
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:
August 3, 1970 – Nixon warned about climate change and icecaps melting
August 3, 1988 – Exxon tries to downplay “the greenhouse effect.” Again.