Forty six years ago, on this day, November 24th, 1973,
24 Nov 1973 – A national speed limit is imposed on the Autobahn in Germany because of the 1973 oil crisis. The speed limit lasted only four months.
The amount of carbon dioxide in the air was 330ppm. As of 2025, 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 1973 Oil Shock was forcing governments to constrain some forms of behaviour.
What I think we can learn from this – it didn’t last. Humans desire for speed – and the illusions of freedom that can bring – is a very powerful force.
What happened next – the law didn’t last. The emissions kept climbing.
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:
November 24, 1977 – Canberra Times reports “all coal” plan would “flood US cities”
November 24, 1992 – I’ve seen the future baby, it is murder (Cohen’s “The Future” released)
November 24, 2009 – the Climate War in Australia goes kinetic…