Fifty five years ago, on this day, April 22nd, 1971,
UTILIZATION OF SOLAR ENERGY-PROGRESS REPORT FARRINGTON DANIELS
Professor Emeritus of Chemistry, Solar Energy Laboratory, University of Wisconsin: “Fifth, a whole new emphasis on the use of solar energy comes now from the widespread concern over pollution of our environment. Solar devices produce no pollution-chemical, radioactive, nor overall thermal-and under some circumstances could replace some of our power generators which now do produce pollutant carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, radioactivity and excessive waste heat.”
(Read April 22, 1971) Proceedings of the American Philosophical Society, Vol. 115, No. 6 (Dec. 30, 1971), pp. 490-501
Published by: American Philosophical Society
Stable URL: https://www.jstor.org/stable/985842
The amount of carbon dioxide in the air was roughly 326ppm. As of 2026 it is 428ppm, but check here for daily measures.
The broader context was that the solar lobby had been talking about carbon dioxide for a while!
The specific context was that everyone was running around talking about energy supplies – and this is BEFORE the oil shock.
What I think we can learn from this is that by the late 60s, early 70s, solar energy proponents were pointing to carbon dioxide build up as a reason for advancing solar development as quickly as possible. It wasn’t always or ever their first argument, but it was in the mix.
What happened next: The environmentalists got contained, exhausted, and then the Oil Shock came and delivered the coup de grace.
See also
March 20, 1967 – Solar Energy advocate warns of carbon dioxide build-up
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:
April 22, 1965 – Manchester Evening News article on C02 and global warming – All Our Yesterdays
April 22, 1975 – UK Civil Service scratches its head on #climate
April 22, 1993 – Clinton’s announcement used by anti-carbon pricing Aussies