Forty four years ago, on this day, June 8th, 1981, a workshop began. What was it on? Well
“The First Detection of Carbon Dioxide Effects:” Workshop Summary 8-10 June 1981,
Stable URL: https://www.jstor.org/stable/26223159
The amount of carbon dioxide in the air was roughly 340ppm. As of 2025 it is 430ppm, but check here for daily measures.
The broader context was that from the mid-1970s onwards, scientists were beginning to look closely at what rising carbon dioxide levels would ultimately do. Various scientific bodies (NCAR, National Academy of Science, AAAS, Swedish outfits) were looking closely. The 1979 First World Climate Conference, hosted by the World Meteorological Organisation, could have set the ball rolling, but there was blockage from the likes of John Mason of the UK Met Office.
The specific context was that various American scientists were pushing ahead.
What I think we can learn from this
As human beings is that our systems for finding out about the world aren’t bad. Our systems for stopping damaging it, they needed some work.
As “active citizens” is that there’s not much mileage in just adding “more science” to the recipe for social change. We tried that.
Academics might like to ponder their role in all this.
What happened next – The scientists kept science-ing. By 1985 they were alarmed enough – and had credibility from ozone – to start shouting.
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.
You can see the chronological list of All Our Yesterdays “on this day” posts here.
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.
If you want to get involved, let me know.
If you want to invite me on your podcast, that would boost my ego and probably improve the currently pitiful hit-rate on this site (the two are not-unrelated).
Also on this day:
June 8, 1997 – US oil and gas versus Kyoto Protocol, planet – All Our Yesterdays