Fifty seven years ago, on this day, June 9th, 1967,
“Temperature dip tied to particles,” New York Times, June 9.
The amount of carbon dioxide in the air was roughly 322ppm. As of 2024 it is 422ppm, but check here for daily measures.
The context was that in the northern hemisphere, at least, temperatures had been dropping. We now know that that was because of all the extra aerosols sulphates in the air, bouncing a certain amount of the sun’s heat away. Keeping the winters nice and chill. And this seemed like a problem for the theory of carbon dioxide induced warming. It wasn’t but it’s still being held up as one.
What we learn is that it wasn’t crystal clear. People like Keeling and Plass would not deny. There was still uncertainty.
What happened next? There was for the next five years or so, the whole Ice/Heat debate. Things started edging towards the heat trap side. C02 buildup was reported in The Times as a cause of concern in 1972. And then, by the late 70s, it was clear what was going to happen.
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:
October 9, 1979 – Hermann Flohn warns Irish of “possible consequences of a man-made warming”
October 9, 1991 – Greens get labeled religious fanatics, don’t like it.