Fifty-nine years ago, on this day, June 9th, 1966 , James Lovelock wrote a report.
Lovelock, “Combustion of Fossil Fuel: Large Scale Atmospheric Effects,” 9 June 1966,
box 34, Archive Collection of Professor James Lovelock, Science Museum Library and Archives,
Science Museum at Wroughton; hereafter abbreviated “CFF.” See Aronowsky Critical Inquiry
The amount of carbon dioxide in the air was roughly 321ppm. As of 2025 it is 430ppm, but check here for daily measures.
The broader context was that from 1953 scientists, with Gilbert Plass in the vanguard, then Roger Revelle etc, were banging on about carbon dioxide. By 1966 lots and lots of people knew about the outline of the problem. What Lovelock was commissioned to do was no huge biggie…
The specific context was that Lovelock was asked to do this by Shell, which had had a “nothing to see here, really” article in New Scientist in 1958.
What I think we can learn from this
As human beings – we knew plenty.
As “active citizens” we knew plenty.
Academics might like to ponder – knowledge doesn’t amount to power or efficacy. But who cares, as long as you get citations, eh?
What happened next Lovelock’s paper was read by top UK scientist Graham Sutton (formerly of the Met Office) in January 1967, and a senior civil servant (and possible spy?) Victor Rothschild, said it should be kept shtum (LINK).
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: