Sixty seven years ago, on this day, March 15, 1956, Roger Revelle laid out the facts while trying to assure senators that taxpayers’ money was being well spent. It got reported the following day by the Los Angeles Times.
Anon, 1956. Gas fumes suspected as factor in climate. Los Angeles Times, March 16, p. 25.
AND
Norman, L. 1956. Fumes seen warming arctic seas, Washington Post and Times Herald , March 19, p.3.
The amount of carbon dioxide in the air was roughly 314ppm. As of 2023 it is 419ppm, but check here for daily measures.
The context was that big science was getting big money. And congressmen wanted to show that they were keeping informed. Revelle’s was in preparation for the International Geophysical Year. And he enjoyed, I think, testifying about this sort of stuff. At this point, it wasn’t clear that carbon dioxide levels were definitely going up. There had been a publication in 1955 querying the accuracy of the various measurements.
What I think we can learn from this
Congressmen have been aware of the issue as has anyone reading a newspaper since 1956. Actually, you can go earlier, but I would say the pivotal years are from 56 to 59. Before that, it’s just not that clear.
What happened next
Revelle would solve that uncertainty about atmospheric carbon dioxide levels by hiring Charles David Keeling. And by 1959, it was clear that yes, co2 levels were definitely rising.
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..