Month: July 2026

Categories
Antarctica United Kingdom

July 12, 1982 – Thatcher briefing for meeting about British Antarctic Survey

Forty four years ago, on this day, July  11st, 1982, Margaret Thatcher gets a briefing for a meeting with the British Antarctic Survey bosses. It casually mentions climatic change…

https://drive.google.com/file/d/13OYbbNL2uRDAsE9kqMZAcC40UbZFmmCb/view?usp=sharing

The amount of carbon dioxide in the air was 340ppm. As of 2026, when this post was published, it is 430ppm. This matters because the more carbon dioxide in the air, the more heat gets trapped. The more heat, the more extreme weather events. You can make it more complicated than that if you want, but really, it’s not. Fwiw, I have a tattoo of the Keeling Curve on my left forearm.

The broader context was folks at the Met Office were present in late 1953 when Gilbert Plass gave another presentation about his carbon dioxide theory of climatic change. The theory was pretty well known in any case (having been pooh-poohed by CEP Brooks). Through the 50s and 60s it became better known. The trouble was, the Met Office’s boss from 1965 on, John Mason, was adamantly opposed to it.  In the late 1970s there had been a civil service effort to get the issue under politician’s noses….

The specific context was that shortly after becoming Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher was briefed on the carbon dioxide threat by her chief scientific adviser. Her response was to look at him with incredulity and say “you want me to worry about the weather?” Nonetheless, international work continued, and the problem (not yet an issue) would not go away.

What I think we can learn from this  Another reason to despise Thatcher.

What happened next

Mason retired as Met Office boss, and was replaced by John Houghton, who accepted physical reality (having first written on carbon dioxide build-up in 1965).

In late September 1988, to get ahead of an inevitable trend, Margaret Thatcher gave her speech at the Royal Society.

On this topic, you might like these other posts on All Our Yesterdays

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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: 

July 12, 1953 – “The Weather is Really Changing” says New York Times

July 12, 1978 – US Climate Research Board meeting

July 12, 1996 – medics slam energy companies for outright denial and obstruction

July 12, 2007 – #Australia gets swindled on #climate change…

July 12, 2009 – NGO vs NGO – Al Gore asked to be umpire

July 12, 2011 – Tony Abbott and the The Australia Institute

Categories
United States of America

July 11, 1979 – New York Times warns about carbon dioxide build-up

Forty seven  years ago, on this day, July 11st, 1979,

WASHINGTON, July 10— In a report to the Council on Environmental Quality, a group of scientists warned today of the rapidly growing impact of carbon dioxide on the earth’s climate and asked that the problem be addressed in the formulation of new energy policy by President Carter.

The scientists warned that a major increase in the burning of fossil fuels, particularly synthetic fuels, could have a disastrous impact on the environment in the relatively near future.

“Man is setting in motion a series of events that seem certain to cause a significant warming of the world climate over the next decades unless mitigating steps are taken immediately,” the report declared.

https://www.nytimes.com/1979/07/11/archives/scientists-warn-us-of-carbon-dioxide-peril-advice-on-energy.html

The amount of carbon dioxide in the air was 337ppm. As of 2026, when this post was published, it is 430ppm. This matters because the more carbon dioxide in the air, the more heat gets trapped. The more heat, the more extreme weather events. You can make it more complicated than that if you want, but really, it’s not. Fwiw, I have a tattoo of the Keeling Curve on my left forearm.

The broader context was that in 1953 Canadian physicist Gilbert Plass had warned people about this.  There were further warnings through the 1950s and 1960s. President Johnson name-checked carbon dioxide as a problem in 1965. Nixon was warned about it repeatedly. 

The specific context was that the First World Climate Conference had happened.  Meanwhile, the G7 had name-checked carbon dioxide build-up as a possible problem, e.gHelmut Schmidt, German Chancellor was talking about it. In the US, since 1977, a growing number of scientists had been meeting, comparing notes and warning.  They were especially worried about the Carter Administration’s plans for the creation of oil from shale and coal.

What I think we can learn from this we knew enough to be taking action by 1979.

What happened next. We didn’t take action in 1979. Or 1989. Or 1999. Etc.  Emissions have kept climbing when they should have fallen. Consequently, atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide have kept climbing (soaring), and now the Fafocene has begun. Oh well.

xxx

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: 

July 11, 1968 – The UN Secretary-General, U Thant, delivers report on Human Environment that mentions carbon dioxide and climate change

July 11, 1972 – Gay rights vs ABC 

July 11, 1989 – Australia says “sure, we’ll take #climate refugees.” Yeah, nah.

July 11, 1994 – Australian Environment Minister admits not clear if Australia hitting targets (spoilers, it wasn’t) 

July 11, 1995 – Chicago heatwave gets going

July 11, 1996 – Celebrity Death Match: Australian fossil fuels industry versus The World (Spoiler: world lost)

July 11, 2013- “don’t be evil” my fat arse….

Categories
Australia Denial

July 10, 2012 – Denialists on tour in Australia

Fourteen years ago, on this day, July 11, 2012,

“Last night I attended the Sydney talk of Canadian author and blogger Donna Laframboise, whose book, “The Delinquent Teenager who was mistaken for the world’s top Climate Expert” has recently been published here in Australia.” [some defunct blog]

The amount of carbon dioxide in the air was 394ppm. As of 2026, when this post was published, it is 430ppm. This matters because the more carbon dioxide in the air, the more heat gets trapped. The more heat, the more extreme weather events. You can make it more complicated than that if you want, but really, it’s not. Fwiw, I have a tattoo of the Keeling Curve on my left forearm.

The broader context was that climate denialism had been around all along. One early example in Australia was John Daly and his book “The Greenhouse Trap.”  In the late 2000s, when the prospect of – gasp – a price on carbon dioxide emissions – became a live political issue – the denialists swamped the airways. Various nutjobs were invited on tour. 

The specific context was the Gillard ETS scheme had come into effect, having passed through Parliament in 2011. The antis (rightly) anticipated that a Tony Abbott-led government would abolish it. 

What I think we can learn from this. We are a muppet species.

What happened next. Abbott did indeed repeal the actual emissions trading portions of Gillard’s Clean Energy Package.  Globally, emissions kept climbing, and atmospheric concentrations kept climbing.  The Fafocene has begun.

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: 

July 10, 1976 – Seveso 

July 10, 1985 – French state commits terrorist act

July 10, 1996 – National Greenhouse Advisory Panel cops a serve

July 10, 2008 – first Australian #Climate Camp begins, near Newcastle

July 10, 2010 – Rio Tinto amplifies the message…

July 10, 2015 – Zero carbon homes policy abolished  

Categories
Denial

 July 9, 2001 – Dobriansky and Pearlman meet  

Twenty five years ago, on this day, July  9th, 2001, 

Paula Dobriansky and Donald “will asshole for money” Pearlman meet July 9,  

“In other meetings documented in the papers, Ms Dobriansky meets Don Pearlman, an international anti-Kyoto lobbyist who has been a paid adviser to the Saudi and Kuwaiti governments, both of which have followed the US line against Kyoto.

The purpose of the meeting with Mr Pearlman, who also represents the secretive anti-Kyoto Climate Council, which the administration says “works against most US government efforts to address climate change”, is said to be to “solicit [his] views as part of our dialogue with friends and allies”.”

https://www.theguardian.com/news/2005/jun/08/usnews.climatechange

2001 State Department Briefing for Don Pearlman, Climate Council Meeting

The amount of carbon dioxide in the air was 371ppm. As of 2026, when this post was published, it is 430ppm. This matters because the more carbon dioxide in the air, the more heat gets trapped. The more heat, the more extreme weather events. You can make it more complicated than that if you want, but really, it’s not. Fwiw, I have a tattoo of the Keeling Curve on my left forearm.

The broader context was the resistance to international climate action in the late 1980s/early 1990s was channelled through the so-called Global Climate Coalition (oil companies, auto companies etc) and the Climate Council, much smaller, less gaudy and probably more effective. Basically, Don Pearlman helped the Middle Eastern dictatorships scupper meaningful climate action.
Right now, I hope the scumbag is rotting in hell. 

The specific context was that by now the Bush Administration had pulled out of Kyoto and was probably looking for ways to be even more evil on the question of climate. 

What I think we can learn from this is that evil exists. It’s often very competent, effective and well-paid. 

What happened next. Pearlman died in 2005. Too late, and not painful enough, but there you are. 

On this topic, you might like these other posts on All Our Yesterdays

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See also

That play, Kyoto.

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: 

July 9, 1962 – rainbow bomb parties as hydrogen bomb explodes

July 9, 1965 – “Spaceship Earth” is launched, trying to get us to see our fragility (didn’t work)

July 9, 1987 – “Unpleasant surprises in the greenhouse” warns Broecker

July 9, 1990- Green Christians’ 12 commandments 

July 9, 2004 – David Bellamy jumps the shark on climate change

 July 9, 2008 – President Bush operating at his peak intellectual capacity

Categories
CO2 Newsletter Nuclear Power

CO2 Newsletter Vol. 2, no.4 – “opinion seems to be sharply divided between complacency and alarmism over timing”

The tenth edition of the CO2 Newsletter, (Vol. 2, no. 4) published bi-monthly by American geologist William N. Barbat between 1979 and 1982 is live. You can download a pdf and see the full text here.

The eight page issue has a front page story that really pushes Barbat’s favoured solution to carbon dioxide build-up – the massive roll out of nuclear power across the world.

Rather than an editorial, Barbat replies to recent correspondence. He characterises the Newsletter’s stance in this manner-

Scientific opinion seems to agree that a continued CO2 buildup poses a serious threat to coastal habitations through polar icemelt and to the world’s food productivity, at least temporarily if not permanently. However, opinion seems to be sharply divided between complacency and alarmism over timing. Our studied view is alarmist, and we advocate corrective actions which do not in themselves create worse social and economic problems.

There is an article on Fourier, and the usual mix of “excerpts from recent reports” including one from the British journal Nature

‘Greenhouse Effect – Act now, not later’. by Wendy Barnaby, NATURE 19 February 1981:

doi 10.1038/289624b0 and see here too

The issue closes with some slightly spiky correspondence between Barbat and Amory Lovins….

As ever, it’s beautifully put together, and heart-breaking.

If you want to write a commentary on this issue, or any to come, please do get in touch!

Categories
Australia UNFCCC

 July 8, 1996 – Australian business whining about climate change of course

Thirty years ago, on this day, July  8th, 1996,

“Australian industry will argue this week that proposed greenhouse measures will slow growth in the global economy, with Australia among the countries that would be hardest hit by a fall in trade.”

“When green and gold don’t mix.” The Australian Financial Review, 8 July 1996,  

Of course they will.

The amount of carbon dioxide in the air was 362ppm. As of 2026, when this post was published, it is 430ppm. This matters because the more carbon dioxide in the air, the more heat gets trapped. The more heat, the more extreme weather events. You can make it more complicated than that if you want, but really, it’s not. Fwiw, I have a tattoo of the Keeling Curve on my left forearm.

The broader context was

Australian business’s initial response to the greenhouse effect surge of awareness/concern in 1988 was to wait for it to blow over. When it hadn’t by 1989, they started pushing back, and by 1990 were pushing back hard both in public and especially in private.

They (especially the miners) had fought hard to defeat a carbon tax proposal in 1994-5, and were happy enough with the voluntary scheme (the “Greenhouse Challenge”) that replaced it. But still cautious and worried that their ability to make mega profits would be impaired.

The specific context was that John Howard had become Prime Minister after the March 1996 election, and took Keating’s indifferent hostility to green issues and dialed it up to eleven. The first major test was the second COP (we are now, of course, up to 31), at which Australia was under pressure to be less shit.

What I think we can learn from this – business is always going to squeal about the sky falling. That’s their favourite tactic – zap the wire that leads to people’s amygdala –  because it always works.

What happened next  

The COP process went on (and on, and on). The Greenhouse Challenge was a joke. Emissions went up. Howard successfully slowed the growth of renewables.  The window of opportunity to do anything meaningful closed.  We defenestrated ourselves, basically. 

On this topic, you might like these other posts on All Our Yesterdays

July 18, 1996 – Geneva Ministerial Declaration noted but not adopted

References

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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: 

July 8, 1962 – New York Times on ‘Glasshouse Effect”

July 8, 1970 – Environmental Protection Agency formed 

July 8, 1991 – UK Prime Minister chides US on #climate change

July 8, 1996 – National Greenhouse Advisory Panel tells the truth…

Categories
United States of America

July 7, 1979 – climate memo on Carter’s desk

Forty seven years ago, on this day, July  7th, 1979, a ,memo lands on President Jimmy Carter’s desk from his chief scientific adviser, Frank Press –

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/jun/14/1977-us-presidential-memo-predicted-climate-change

The amount of carbon dioxide in the air was 337ppm. As of 2026, when this post was published, it is 430ppm. This matters because the more carbon dioxide in the air, the more heat gets trapped. The more heat, the more extreme weather events. You can make it more complicated than that if you want, but really, it’s not. Fwiw, I have a tattoo of the Keeling Curve on my left forearm.

The broader context was Lyndon Johnson was the first US president to warn about carbon dioxide build-up, in early 1965 (thanks to the work of Roger Revelle etc).  Between then and 1979, the science had become a lot firmer, especially from the mid-1970s.

The specific context was that various scientists (including Alvin Weinberg) had been beavering away, holding conferences, lobbying Frank Press, etc etc, trying to get the issue onto the agenda.

This met headwinds though, because the Carter Administration also wanted to reduce dependence on Middle Eastern oil, and was pursuing making oil from shale, which would be a climate catastrophe. 

What I think we can learn from this. The second half of the 1970s – fully fifty years ago, is the key period when a community of scientists – not just climatologists – started going “oh shit”.  You can read all about them in William Barbat’s CO2 Newsletter…

What happened next. Press chided Gus Speth of the Council on Environmental Quality for continuing to bang on about carbon dioxide build-up. Carter lost the 1980 election. Reagan the wrecking ball came in, and the last slender chance of avoiding catastrophe was gone. Oh well. 

On this topic, you might like these other posts on All Our Yesterdays

July 30, 1979 – synfuels would be sinful…

May 5, 1980 – Frank Press to Jimmy Carter on climate

References

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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: 

July 7, 1969 – Newsweek writes about the “good earth,” mentions carbon dioxide build-up

July 7, 1970 – an Australian banker goes “Full Extinction Rebellion”, 50 years early…

July 7, 1988 – foolish “Jumping the greenhouse gun” editorial in Nature.

July 7, 1992 – Greenhouse Action Australia briefing  

July 7, 1997 – Alexander Downer tells the truth.

July 7, 2008 – Liberals start back-tracking on climate promises.

Categories
Brazil United Kingdom

July 6, 1979 – Letter in the Nottingham Post about carbon dioxide build-up and “the greatest disaster in world history”

Forty seven  years ago, on this day, July 6th, 1979, a letter was published in the Nottingham Post, written by one K. Cooke, of Aspley.

“When hundreds of millions of trees are destroyed in the Amazon forests, as they have been over the past 65 years, the whole world suffers a loss of oxygen and an increase in carbon dioxide.

The deforestation of tropical rain forests and the wiping out of numerous species of animals and plants, produce harmful effects on the climate of the world and the balance of nature.

A Brazilian scientist says: “We are threatened with possibly the greatest ecological disaster in world history.”


But also, check out that advert!!

The amount of carbon dioxide in the air was 337ppm. As of 2026, when this post was published, it is 430ppm. This matters because the more carbon dioxide in the air, the more heat gets trapped. The more heat, the more extreme weather events. You can make it more complicated than that if you want, but really, it’s not. Fwiw, I have a tattoo of the Keeling Curve on my left forearm.

The broader context was there had been stories in newspapers (and magazines) about carbon dioxide build-up from the 1950s.  From the late 1960s, those stories started to get a bit firmer in their concerns.  Through the 1970s, scientists beavered away.  The idea that the climate was changing (either hotter or colder!) was common currency, and the 1976 heatwave/drought in Europe had got people talking. 

The specific context was that the First World Climate Conference had happened in February, and the reporting on it in the UK had usually talked about carbon dioxide build-up. By this time even Margaret Thatcher had gone public (though privately deriding the idea) because it enabled her to advocate for nuclear power (see her interview with the BBC at the G7 in Tokyo on June 29). 

What I think we can learn from this – the whole topic was tolerably well-understood by intelligent and well-informed people in the 1970s. The signal had not emerged from the noise ecologically, but smart humans can spot the patterns. The wilfully ignorant, well, not so much.

What happened next

The problem finally became an issue in 1988. Then they bullshitting and kayfabe started. 

On this topic, you might like these other posts on All Our Yesterdays

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References

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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: 

July 6, 1972 – “Workers and the Environment” conference in London…

July 6, 1988 – Piper Alpha blows up 

July 6, 1993 – Australian bipartisanship on climate? Not really…

July 6, 2008 – Southern Cross Coalition launches “towards an effective and fair response to climate change” 

Categories
Australia Denial

July 5, 2000 – Centre for “Independent” Studies at peak intellectual capacity

Twenty six years ago, on this day, July 5th 2000,

“In the Courier-Mail on July 5 2000, another luminary from the Centre for Independent Studies, Barry Maley, argued that “Australia should heed a petition opposing the [Kyoto] treaty signed by over 17,000 American scientists.”

This sign-on internet petition includes the signatures of “Dr Jerri Halliwell” (a.k.a. Ginger Spice), and Drs Burns, Honeycutt and Pierce — from the television sit-com MASH. “ https://www.greenleft.org.au/content/climate-conference-cook-books

The amount of carbon dioxide in the air was 370ppm. As of 2026, when this post was published, it is 430ppm. This matters because the more carbon dioxide in the air, the more heat gets trapped. The more heat, the more extreme weather events. You can make it more complicated than that if you want, but really, it’s not. Fwiw, I have a tattoo of the Keeling Curve on my left forearm.

The broader context was that Australia had, in the very first days of the upsurge of international environmental policymaking (mid-1980s) been a responsible and effective ‘middle-power’.  But by the early 1990s, especially on climate change, that was fading fast.

Meanwhile, in the US, various nutjobs – well-funded – mostly suffering Relevance Deprivation Syndrome – were launching ‘sand in the eyes’ tactics, like the Oregon Petition.

The specific context was the ratification of the Kyoto Protocol by Australia was a hot topic. It was pretty clear that under Liberal Prime Minister John Howard Australia would NOT ratify the Kyoto Protocol (even though it had extorted an incredibly generous deal) unless the USA did.  But it’s always good to lay down suppressing fire.

Most climate denial bullshit was spewed out by the other right-wing ‘think’tank, the IPA. The CIS didn’t usually enter the fray, but for whatever reason they did here.

What I think we can learn from this

Well, I can say it without fear of libel or being forced to make an apology, now that Maley is finally dead (last year, aged 99).  He may or may not have known what he was talking about within his field –  I haven’t bothered to look – but on this he was a pathetic fucking idiot, and his willingness not to do due diligence on a stupid petition (derided even at the time) says something about his sloppiness and willingness to believe whatever he wanted to believe. “Independent” my very fat arse.

What happened next

Australia under Howard resolutely resisted Kyoto, partnering with the Bush Administration to try to launch a spoiler organisation.  Eventually, under Labor Prime Minister Kevin Rudd Australia DID ratify Kyoto. For what that was worth (a bucket of warm spit).

The Centre for ‘Independent’ Studies continues in its wretched Atlas ways.

On this topic, you might like these other posts on All Our Yesterdays

Xx

References

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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: 

July 5, 1973 – The Predicament of Mankind discussed

July 5, 1989 – Nuclear tries to regain some credibility, latching on to greenhouse

July 5, 1989 – Bob Hawke launches a book 

July 5, 2013 – that turd Michael Gove …drops plans to drop climate from curriculum

Categories
Activism Australia

July 4, 1971 – Ecology Action puff piece in Sydney Morning Herald

Fifty five years ago, on this day, July 4th, 1971, a new eco-group gets some publicity in the Sydney Morning Herald.

The amount of carbon dioxide in the air was 325ppm. As of 2026, when this post was published, it is 430ppm. This matters because the more carbon dioxide in the air, the more heat gets trapped. The more heat, the more extreme weather events. You can make it more complicated than that if you want, but really, it’s not. Fwiw, I have a tattoo of the Keeling Curve on my left forearm.

The broader context was that from late 1969 Australia (as part of a global trend) experienced increased alarm about environmental problems.  Various factors, including the publication of the Torrey Canyon, Population Bomb, the Earthrise photo, the Santa Barbara oil spill and action in the US.  New groups had been forming through the 1960s (e.g. the Australian Conservation Society), mostly arranged around the idea of politely lobbying.

The specific context was that there were various local struggles going on in Sydney and New South Wales (Clutha etc) and it was pretty clear that the government of Robin Askew was in no mood to pretend to be at all green.  (It was famously corrupt, even by NSW standards). 

What I think we can learn from this

People could see the ordinary ways weren’t gonna cut it.

What happened next

Ecology Action lasted about ten years. I looked through its newsletters at the National Library of Australia, back in the day.  Virtually nothing (as you’d expect) on carbon dioxide build-up.

On this topic, you might like these other posts on All Our Yesterdays

Xx

References

Jim Hagan (1972) Clutha: The politics of pollution, Politics, 7:2, 136-148, DOI:

10.1080/00323267208401287

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: 

July 4, 1957 – popular UK magazine The Listener mentions carbon dioxide build-up

July 4, 1989 – UK Energy Committee ponders greenhouse implications 

July 4, 1996 – article in Nature saying ‘it’s partly us’

July 4, 2004 – @WWF_Australia try to shame John Howard into #climate action…

July 4, 2008 – Garnaut’s draft report released