Three years ago today –
“The hottest Australian temperature ever recorded was 50.7C in the Pilbara town of Onslow on 13 January 2023.”
The amount of carbon dioxide in the air was roughly 320ppm. As of 2026 it is 428ppm, but check here for daily measures.
The broader context was that scientists have been warning us. Then shouting. Then pleading. Also, lots of ordinary people who didn’t go to the right universities, don’t have the right qualifications.
The specific context was that there isn’t a specific context. This is just how it is going to be from now on. Except it will get worse, gradually and suddenly, suddenly and gradually, in fits and starts.
What I think we can learn from this is that this is just how it is going to be from now on. Except it will get worse, gradually and suddenly, suddenly and gradually, in fits and starts.
What happened next
The record hasn’t been broken. Yet. Watch this space.
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:
-January 13, 2004 – Bob Carr rallies states for emissions trading
January 13, 2005- UN Secretary-General calls for “decisive measures” on climate change