In the 1970s, Graeme Pearman measured rising carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere, briefing three prime ministers on what that meant for the planet. After decades leading Australia’s climate research, Pearman, now 82, speaks of the frustration that the science didn’t lead to meaningful change.
This video is part of Weight of the World: a climate scientist’s burden. The series features three pioneering Australian climate change scientists – Graeme Pearman, Lesley Hughes and Ove Hoegh-Guldberg. Pearman was measuring CO2 in the atmosphere as long ago as 1971. Hughes is one of the first ecologists to warn that rising temperatures would push many species towards extinction. Hoegh-Guldberg’s research revealed the risk that global heating would have on the ocean’s richest ecosystems – coral reefs.
The series tells the story of how the three scientists made their discoveries, how they came under attack for their science and the personal toll it has taken on them. And importantly, how they stay hopeful.
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