Thirty seven years ago, on this day, September 17th, 1987,
Policy Makers Spurred by Ozone Treaty, Considering Tackling ‘Greenhouse’
Effect, WALL ST. J., Sept. 17, 1987
The amount of carbon dioxide in the air was roughly 349ppm. As of 2024 it is 422ppm, but check here for daily measures.
The context was that the ozone treaty had just been signed. Climate scientists were seriously worried about the buildup of CO2. The September 1985 scientific meeting in Villach, Austria, sponsored by WMO UNEPand ICSU had been pivotal. And since then, US Senators had been alerted repeatedly by Carl Sagan, by NGO briefings. Joe Biden had got in on the act in the run up to his first bid for president.
What we learn is that it’s one thing to deal with a chemical that not many companies make and for which there are substitutes. IT’s somewhat more problematic when you have the whole fossil fuel sector arrayed against you and its pals in the automotive industry.
What happened next was a God Almighty battle for five years and the forces of predatory delay were successful and continued to be successful, and still being successful in 2024…
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:
September 17, 1969 – trying to spin Vietnam, Moynihan starts warning about #climate change
September 17, 1987 – report on “The Greenhouse Project” launch
September 17, 2002 – UK Government announces feasibility study into Carbon Capture and Storage