Timeline of climate change: What humanity knew and when

So, I just read this super interesting article about the timeline of climate change and it blew my mind! Basically, it lays out all the times in history when we knew about the impact we were having on the planet, and what we did (or didn’t do) about it.

From as far back as the late 1800s, scientists were predicting the harmful effects of burning fossil fuels and deforestation, but it wasn’t until the 1960s that the word “climate change” was even coined. And even then, big corporations like ExxonMobil were funding studies to cast doubt on the science.

I was shocked to learn that in 1988, James Hansen, a NASA scientist, testified before Congress about the dangers of global warming, and urged immediate action. That was over 30 years ago, and we’re still debating whether or not climate change even exists.

But here’s the thing: it’s not just about polar bears and rising sea levels. Climate change affects everything from our economy to our health. It’s already causing extreme weather events, like hurricanes and droughts, and it’s only going to get worse unless we start taking it seriously.

I know, it’s a heavy topic. But honestly, I couldn’t put this article down. Learning about the history of our understanding of climate change was fascinating, and it really put things into perspective. We have the knowledge and the technology to make a difference, we just need to start acting on it.

So, if you’re looking for a good read that will make you think, definitely check out this article. It’s a reminder of how far we’ve come, and how far we still have to go.