On this day, November 17 in 1968, the Observer ran a final story in its pollution inquiry,noting that “By the end of this century, we may have released enough carbon dioxide to raise the atmospheric temperature by two degrees centigrade.” [to be clear – this was a big overestimate, at least in the short-term]
17 Nov 1968 Observer article John Davy – significant mention of carbon dioxide greenhouse
[The amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere was 323ppm. At time of writing it was 419ishppm- but for what it is now,well, see here for the latest.]
The context was this –
By the late 1960s anyone with a smattering of scientific knowledge could see the trends. It wasn’t rocket science. You just needed eyes in your head and the willingness to think about uncomfortable futures.
Why this matters.
We do not lack knowledge. We lack courage
What happened next?
From 1968 to 1972 a lot of international meetings and warm words.