Policy and Advocacy – Physicists Coalition for Nuclear Threat Reduction

Nuclear Threat Reduction Advocacy Strategy

Physicists Coalition 2025 Advocacy Strategy

The Physicists Coalition for Nuclear Threat Reduction works to reduce the threats from nuclear weapons by mobilizing advocacy within the physical sciences communities in the United States and internationally. Given the civilization-ending potential of the use of nuclear weapons, we advocatefor substantive changes in nuclear arsenals, force postures, and declaratory policies. We also call for fulfillment of the long-standing international obligation to achieve nuclear disarmament.

In line with the above mission statement, the 2025 Physicists Coalition advocacy strategy is as follows:

1. Maintain arms control achievements and prevent backsliding by:

Upholding the ban on nuclear testing and opposing proposals to resume testing.
Opposing proposals to expand or diversify the U.S. nuclear arsenal.
Reinforcing the taboo against nuclear threats and condemning any such threats.
Opposing the expansion of strategic ballistic missile defense systems, especially space-based weapon systems.
Opposing modernization, and a return to multiple warheads on U.S. intercontinental ballistic missiles.

2. Encourage global engagement on nuclear weapons control and disarmament by:

Fostering collaboration between scientists and civil society groups campaigning against nuclear arms buildups and for risk reduction.
Promoting meaningful measures between the U.S. and Russia, and the U.S. and China, as well as multilateral initiatives on nuclear risk reduction.
Promoting fulfillment of the long-standing international obligation to achieve nuclear disarmament, including by constructive cooperation with the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.

3. Urge nuclear-armed states, starting with the United States, to consider the full consequences of nuclear weapons use by:

Requiring military planners to prioritize the results of existing scientific studies of the effects of nuclear weapons use, including radioactive fallout and their effects on climate and food supplies.
Promoting additional scientific studies of the indirect physical, societal, and civilizational effects of nuclear weapons use and requiring that they also be considered.

The Advocacy Strategy outlined above forms the foundation of our efforts, including Congressional engagement in Washington, D.C., in-district advocacy, and online action. Learn more about each of these initiatives:

Physicists Coalition 2024 Advocacy Strategy

Building support for U.S. diplomatic engagement with Russia and China on nuclear risk reduction and arms control to avoid miscalculation, reduce arsenals, and prevent arms racing
Building support in Congress to block the addition of new nuclear technologies to the U.S. nuclear arsenal which are destabilizing
Mobilizing scientists through initiatives that encourage U.S. and global leaders to reinforce norms against nuclear weapons use and threats of use

Below you can see positions, policy papers, letters, and other documents prepared by Coalition staff and leaders, and used in previous advocacy campaigns.