Nuclear Weapons

Quick Recap – Why the Day and What Are Nuclear Weapons?

The International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons exists to serve as a crucial global reminder and advocacy tool. Its purpose is to educate the public on the existential threat these weapons pose and to create pressure on governments to pursue complete disarmament. The day shifts the focus from geopolitical strategy to a core humanitarian truth: that the only way to guarantee nuclear weapons are never used again is to eliminate them entirely.

Nuclear weapons are not simply large bombs; they are devices of unparalleled destruction that work by unleashing energy from nuclear reactions. Their unique and lasting harm includes not only instantaneous devastation through blast and heat but also prolonged suffering from radioactive fallout, which poisons the environment and causes long-term health crises. The scale of their impact is so severe that even a limited nuclear exchange could trigger a “nuclear winter,” potentially leading to global famine and the collapse of civilization.

Why do Nuclear Weapons Exist and the Harms they can Cause

If nuclear weapons are so dangerous, one might wonder: why do they exist at all? Their origin lies in World War II, when scientists, fearing that Nazi Germany might develop such weapons first, worked on what became known as the Manhattan Project in the United States. The result was the creation of the first atomic bombs. After the war, instead of abandoning these weapons, countries rushed to develop their own. This led to the Cold War nuclear arms race, where the United States and the Soviet Union stockpiled tens of thousands of warheads.

The main reason nuclear weapons still exist today is the idea of deterrence. The argument goes like this: if two rival countries both have nuclear weapons; neither will dare to use them because doing so would invite total destruction in return. This idea is called Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD). For some nations, nuclear weapons are seen as an insurance policy — a guarantee that no one will dare attack them. Beyond deterrence, nuclear weapons also act as symbols of power. Countries with these weapons are often treated as major players in global politics, while those without may feel vulnerable or less influential. Fear and mistrust further drive proliferation: if one country builds nuclear weapons, its neighbors may feel forced to do the same to protect themselves.

However, the harm nuclear weapons can cause goes far beyond the calculations of deterrence and power. Their immediate effects are catastrophic. The explosion generates extreme heat, capable of causing burns miles away from the blast. The shockwave can demolish buildings, bridges, and infrastructure in an instant. Fires spread rapidly, consuming everything in their path. Then there is the invisible killer: radiation. Exposure to high levels of radiation can cause acute sickness, cancer, and genetic damage passed down to future generations. Communities near nuclear test sites have experienced these consequences, living with illnesses and contaminated environments long after the tests ended.

The harm does not stop at human suffering. Nuclear weapons also devastate the environment. Radioactive fallout can poison soil and water, rendering areas uninhabitable for decades. In the event of a large-scale nuclear war, scientists warn of a nuclear winter — smoke and soot from the explosions would rise into the atmosphere, blocking sunlight, lowering global temperatures, and disrupting agriculture worldwide. This could lead to mass starvation on a scale never seen before. In other words, the use of nuclear weapons would not only destroy the targeted country but could threaten the survival of humanity itself.

This is why the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons is so significant. It reminds us that while some argue nuclear weapons keep the peace through deterrence, the risks of accidents, miscalculations, or deliberate use are too great to ignore. As long as these weapons exist, humanity lives under a constant shadow of possible destruction. The day is an opportunity to reflect, to educate, and to strengthen the global movement for disarmament.

In conclusion, nuclear weapons exist because of history, fear, and the desire for power, but the harm they can cause far outweighs any sense of security they might provide. They are not just military tools; they are existential threats to humanity and the planet. On 26 September, the world is reminded that the ultimate goal must be the complete elimination of nuclear weapons. Only then can we truly say we are working towards lasting peace and security for future generations.