Forty five years ago, on this day, March 29th, 1979, a health conference in Eastbourne hears mention of the C02 problem.
Robson, A. 1979. “Environmental Implications of Fossil-Fuelled Power” https://doi.org/10.1177/146642407909900608
The amount of carbon dioxide in the air was roughly 337ppm. As of 2024 it is 425ppm, but check here for daily measures.
The context is that by the late 70s, there are questions being asked in Parliament, there are newspaper articles. There was an especial flurry in ‘76-77 about whether carbon dioxide buildup is indeed changing the planet. And the First World Climate Conference has just happened. The Central Electricity Generating Board has had its eye on the issue. And so it’s unsurprising perhaps, that it should be mentioned, albeit in passing, at a conference about health.
What we learn is this idea that carbon dioxide and climate change might have impacts on health goes back a lot further than 2016 or whenever. And we have been failing to do anything about this issue for a lot longer than we like to admit.
What happened next, climate didn’t really climb on to the health agenda until well, 10 years later, when “the greenhouse effect” started to punch people in the face.
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:
March 29, 1993 – C02 Disposal symposium takes place in Oxford
March 29, 1995- Kuwaiti scientist says if global warming happening, it’s not fossil fuels. #MRDA