Understanding the Global Effects of Nuclear Conflict in the 21st Century

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The damaging effects of the light, heat, blast, and radiation caused by a nuclear explosion have been known to scientists since the end of the Second World War

Challenge

Public awareness and expert understanding of the climatic, economic, humanitarian, and societal effects of a potential exchange of nuclear weapons is limited or out of date.

Action

Develop a research agenda for scientific and policy analysis of nuclear weapons effects to increase awareness, advance understanding and catalyze action to reduce the existential risks of nuclear weapons use.

Results

Inform nuclear policies and decision making with clear and current analysis of nuclear effects.

The damaging effects of the light, heat, blast, and radiation caused by a nuclear explosion have been known to scientists since the end of the Second World War and the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. However, much of the existing literature on the climatic, economic, humanitarian, and societal effects of a nuclear exchange is out of date and inconclusive.

NTI is providing a platform for discussion among scientists and policy experts from around the world to build on previous scientific analysis and international discourse on nuclear weapons effects. By engaging experts to build consensus and identify gaps in the current research, we can improve our understanding of the global implications of nuclear use and more accurately inform nuclear policy decision-makers.

Together, participants of this project will contribute to the development of a modern research agenda that will clarify the likely catastrophic effects of a nuclear weapons exchange and inform nuclear policymakers and public discourse.

Activity

2023




2022


NTI Convenes Conference on Global Effects of Nuclear Weapons

News

NTI Convenes Conference on Global Effects of Nuclear Weapons

More than 40 researchers and scientists with expertise in nuclear security, climate science, agriculture and food security, development policy, engineering, international relations, and economics gathered in person and virtually for a hybrid conference on global nuclear effects convened by the Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI) on June 1-2, 2022.


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