Colloquium Abstract A nuclear war could inject so much smoke from the resulting fires into the stratosphere that the resulting climate change would be unprecedented in recorded human history. Our climate model simulations find that the smoke would absorb sunlight, making it dark, cold, and dry at Earth’s surface and produce global-scale ozone depletion, with enhanced […]
Colloquium Abstract With the end of the Cold War, the public, activists and our government thought the danger from nuclear weapons was on a glide path to zero and those concerned about existential threats turned to other issues, notably global warming. Unfortunately, we were wrong. Russia has made nuclear threats to keep NATO from intervening against […]
On March 29, at 10:30 AM EDT, the Physicists Coalition for Nuclear Threat Reduction hosted a virtual training session to discuss tools and skills for advocacy effective engagement with members of Congress. This session included remarks by the panelists (recording below), followed by an open discussion between the Coalition's experts and members. Panelists: Denise Duffield (The Back from […]
Colloquium Abstract Eighty years ago, physicists first worked out what it would take to build a simple nuclear weapon and the immediate effects of its use. Five years later, theory and experiment became devastating facts as the United States built, tested, and then used the first nuclear weapons to destroy cities. Today, there are nine […]
This webinar discusses highlights of the U.S. budget for nuclear weapons for fiscal year 2024, in particular the possibility of additional funds for new nuclear weapon systems including nuclear-capable sea-launched cruise missiles. The speakers include - Shannon Bugos, Senior Policy Analyst, The Arms Control Association - Hans Kristensen, Director, Nuclear Information Project, Federation of […]
The film Oppenheimer, which opened in theaters in July, tells the story of American physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer who led the team that built the first atomic bomb, and later worked to curb the nuclear arms race. The scientific community has played a critical role in highlighting the dangers of nuclear weapons and their […]
Abstract The United States, Russia, and China are engaged in the early phases of a new nuclear arms race and Russia and NATO are engaged in a nuclear-tinged war in Ukraine. With the recent shredding of arms-control agreements, the arms races may proceed unfettered and could lead to unprecedented dangers to humanity. On the other […]
Abstract The United States, Russia, and China are engaged in the early phases of a new nuclear arms race, while Russia and NATO are engaged in a nuclear-tinged war in Ukraine. With the recent shredding of arms-control agreements, a three-way arms race may proceed unfettered and could lead to unprecedented dangers to humanity. On the […]
Abstract Despite shrinking significantly at the end of the Cold War, the world nuclear weapon arsenals continue to represent a significant threat to humanity. About 14,000 nuclear weapons are still deployed or in reserve and other 700 intercontinental ballistic missiles are ready to be launched within minutes. Recent trends indicate the risks of nuclear war […]
Abstract The film Oppenheimer barely hints at the debate among the Manhattan Project physicists on “the impact of the Gadget on Civilization” and their efforts to influence the decision on using nuclear weapons against Japan. It also does not explain that Oppenheimer’s “trial” and termination as a government advisor was due to his opposition to […]
Colloquium Abstract The world is in a precarious place right now and nuclear risk is higher than it has been in decades. The war in Ukraine has brought latent fears about nuclear war back to the surface. In recent years, the US has withdrawn from several arms control agreements that constrained US and Russian arsenals, and […]
About the Speaker Dr. Robert Goldston is a professor of Astrophysical Sciences at Princeton University and associated faculty with Princeton’s Program on Science and Global Security. His research interests include neutron-based methods to verify warheads for disarmament, non-invasive UF6 flow meters and neutron detectors to verify operation of gas-centrifuge enrichment plants, and robotic techniques to monitor […]
