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!