Numbers
(a) Hiroshima and Nagasaki
It is estimated that within 4 months of the bombings, up to 39% of the population of Hiroshima, and up to 32% of the population of Nagasaki died.
To these numbers must be added the later deaths due to radiation-induced cancer.
(b) Nuclear weapons testing
A rather terrifying number of nuclear weapons were detonated between 1945 and 2017: 2476, of which 604 were detonated in the atmosphere.
In their very comprehensive 1991 Radioactive Heaven and Earth paper, International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War (IPPNW) estimate that eventually 2.4 million will die due to atmospheric testing. They also note the lack of effort of governments to determine the long-term consequences of underground testing.
(c) Nuclear winter
A 2022 report by IPPNW states that “Even a ‘limited’ nuclear war would cause abrupt climate disruption and global starvation”. They conclude that nuclear wars can be “neither limited nor regional”. Bombs dropped on cities would start firestorms. The soot would create a nuclear winter. Millions of direct deaths would be followed by millions more deaths due to starvation. They estimate that “famine could result for a third of Earth even from a war between India and Pakistan using less than 3% of the global nuclear arsenal”.
(d) Money, money!
To some of us, having lived all our life in the shadow of nuclear weapons, their danger is a risk like tornadoes or earthquakes. However their present consequences and more generally the consequences of increased militarism can be seen every day as we wonder “Can we afford to buy salad dressing, or should we just buy the lettuce?” For young couples, the question may be “can we afford to have children?”
According to the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN), in 2025, the nine nuclear – armed states spent close to US$3768 per second on their nuclear weapons.
Action!
(a) Researchers, please get active!
Kurt Lewin’s quote “No research without action, no action without research” can be applied to activism.
In the article Actions speak louder than words…, the writers argue that, to increase their influence, scientists should join social movements and even consider civil disobedience.
Although this advice was about climate and ecological crises, it is perfectly valid for other problems.
(b) Let’s organise!
The necessity of organising, of action, can be found in Europe for Peace where it is said that “the only chance to avoid the worst lies in the awakening of human beings and the ability of people to organise themselves.”
(c) Let’s cut off the disobeying child’s allowance!
Let’s use banks where our deposits don’t serve nuclear weapons manufacturers (or any weapons manufacturers).
Some information can be found in the following sources:
https://www.dontbankonthebomb.com/
https://www.dontbankonthebomb.com/2019-hall-of-fame/
(d) Let’s say no to a deadly friendship and completely eliminate nuclear arsenals!
In a recent interview conducted by David Andersson, Dr. Ira Helfand, past president of IPPNW, talked about the Global Nobel Laureates Assembly on Artificial Intelligence and Nuclear War that was held in July 2026 in Rome and ended with the Rome Declaration for an Unarmed and Disarming Peace…” He warned about the dangers of “the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) systems into nuclear command and control systems”. In particular, he mentioned that
– AI systems recommended the use of nuclear weapons in most simulated international crises
– AI hallucinates: It creates data when it cannot find the right answer.
– AI works very rapidly, shortening the time for deliberation.
– People are inclined to believe AI, even if they know it hallucinates.
According to Dr Helfand, “the conference concluded that it was necessary for the governments of the world , the nine countries which have nuclear weapons, to take urgent action to eliminate their nuclear arsenals completely and irreversibly in an orderly way in which the process can be verified and can proceed according to an agreed upon timetable”.
(e) Let’s start by saying no to ICBMs and first strike!
In the film An Ordinary Insanity, we see Daniel Ellsberg explain why launch on warning and Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs) are so dangerous. He states: “The US and Russia are the only two of the nine nuclear states that plan launch on warning and act as if a first strike is better than a second strike, which it isn’t. It’s a deadly self-deception.”
He states that “fixed location ICBMs can only be protected from destruction by being ready to launch before the other missiles arrive on them”.
He also notes that ICBMs cannot be recalled whereas planes can circle until they are given an order.
More ideas from Ellsberg can be found in numerous places, notably in the following:
https://thebulletin.org/2023/06/daniel-ellsbergs-message-to-us-and-to-future-generations/
Slash the Pentagon Budget in Half & Abolish ICBMs: Dan Ellsberg on How to Avoid Nuclear Armageddon
Let’s sound the alarm and get involved!
A good way to engage people is a talk or a film immediately followed with the possibility of action while the emotion is still high.The possibility of joining or forming a group should be offered as mutual support is desirable.
Available on YouTube:
IF YOU LOVE THIS PLANET | Can We Stop the Next Hiroshima?
1982
Nothing can replace this iconic film
https://www.youtube.com/@PCAN-t4r
2026
Four educating and inspiring webinars
2025
Wisdom from Daniel Ellsberg, especially on ICBMs and first strike
2022
An excellent short wake up call , as well as its accompanying article
https://www.pressenza.com/2022/04/we-dont-have-much-time-to-change-the-course-of-history/
