View of "Baker" atomic bomb explosion at Bikini Atoll on July 25, 1946 -- the last of three American tests. The blast sent up a column of water 5000 feet high and 2000 feet wide at the base.
It's 90 Seconds to Midnight and We Never Give Up Push for a Nuclear-Free World
We continue to face an urgent reality. It is a reality that does not have to be but will remain unless we awaken and act now.
Nuclear War. Not an easy topic to think about, one we’d rather ignore, pretend the risk is not real, or that the weapons no longer exist. This altered reality we live in denies the stark reality that the risk of nuclear war is real, with us every moment, and actually higher than at any point since the dawn of the nuclear age and the nuclear bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945. We live in a world with over 12,000 nuclear weapons, many of which are on hair trigger alert, ready to launch at short notice. That notice could be real, misinterpreted, or not even present. There have been many near misses that have brought us to the brink of nuclear war over the years.
In our democracy, we have the ability to speak out and demand that our elected officials act on our behalf and for all of humanity.
On Tuesday, the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists unveiled their metaphorical Doomsday Clock, setting the time at 90 seconds till midnight, the closest it has ever been. This graphic representation of our proximity to doomsday focuses our attention on the risk we face. The Bulletin’s scientific committee arrives at their calculation based on the ongoing interconnected existential threats of nuclear war and climate change, coupled with the man-made disruptive technologies of artificial intelligence and bio-security risks.
This year those risks are heightened with the ongoing wars in Ukraine and Israel, coupled with the continuing political tensions in the Taiwan Strait that continue after last week’s presidential elections. In addition, global hotspots continue between India and Pakistan and North Korea with its ongoing nuclear program development. In the United States during this presidential election year, there’s no word from our elder candidates of the risks of nuclear war and the need to work towards the abolition of these weapons. Seemingly oblivious to the risks of nuclear famine, even from a limited nuclear exchange that puts all of humanity at risk, or more egregiously beholden to the nuclear industrial complex, they ignore the growing will of the people both here at home and around the world calling for nuclear abolition. Rather, they hold on to the myth of deterrence which in actuality is the main driver of the arms race and why we have 12,000 weapons today with every nuclear nation rebuilding their arsenals.
In spite of the risks mentioned, there is hope in this world. The Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW), declares nuclear weapons, like all other weapons of mass destruction, illegal to have, use, develop, stockpile, transfer to other countries, or threaten to use and entered into force January 22, 2021. Currently almost half of all countries have joined the Treaty with 93 signatories and 70 states parties. The Treaty held its second meeting of states parties in New York in November. That conference identified nuclear deterrence as the main driver of the arms race. The Treaty supported by Civil Society, and the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) with its 650 member organizations from 110 countries provides a legal framework for the abolition of nuclear weapons and a path forward for nuclear nations to sign the Treaty with the commitment for a time bound, verifiable elimination of their arsenals.
In the United States, there is a parallel grassroots movement of civil society called Back from the Brink which supports the TPNW with the precautionary measures that provide safeguards until these weapons are abolished. This movement is supported by 473 organizations, 76 cities and counties, 7 state legislative bodies, 426 municipal and state elected officials, and has been codified in the U.S. House of Representatives H. Res 77 sponsored by Rep. Jim McGovern (D-Mass.) with 42 co-sponsors.
At 90 seconds to midnight, we face an urgent reality. This is a reality that does not have to be but will remain unless we awaken and act now. In our democracy, we have the ability to speak out and demand that our elected officials act on our behalf and for all of humanity. We must resist the status quo and push for a world and future that can be… a world free of nuclear weapons that allows us to direct all of our attention to sustaining our planet for future generations.
We are at a crossroads
This country and this world are at a monumental crossroads. In a few short weeks, US voters will have an opportunity to beat back the forces of fascism and confront the billionaires who are rigging the economy, our media system, and our democracy, making it increasingly impossible for ordinary people to get by. We’re not just talking about the election. We’re talking about what must be done once these fascist elements are vanquished from power. We need a bolder set of solutions than what either major party has so far been willing to offer and a working-class movement ready to fight like hell for it. Trump didn't emerge from nowhere. The conditions that fueled MAGA authoritarianism were created by decades of radical neoliberal economic policies and a corrupt political system dominated by corporate interests. They slashed taxes on the super-rich, promising that the benefits would trickle down. They said giveaways to the corporate titans would make life more affordable for the rest of us. It was all bullshit. And when a bitter, betrayed populace searches for someone to blame, right-wing demagogues have little trouble finding scapegoats. People know when they're being lied to, but you won't hear any of this from the corporate media. Only independent journalism—powered and funded by people who believe in building a better world—can deliver truly trustworthy daily news. Our Fall Campaign is underway, and we need your help. To power our newsroom through the rest of the year, we need to raise $125,000 by midnight on October 31. So if you share our vision, please contribute whatever you can to sustain our work. |
Nuclear War. Not an easy topic to think about, one we’d rather ignore, pretend the risk is not real, or that the weapons no longer exist. This altered reality we live in denies the stark reality that the risk of nuclear war is real, with us every moment, and actually higher than at any point since the dawn of the nuclear age and the nuclear bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945. We live in a world with over 12,000 nuclear weapons, many of which are on hair trigger alert, ready to launch at short notice. That notice could be real, misinterpreted, or not even present. There have been many near misses that have brought us to the brink of nuclear war over the years.
In our democracy, we have the ability to speak out and demand that our elected officials act on our behalf and for all of humanity.
On Tuesday, the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists unveiled their metaphorical Doomsday Clock, setting the time at 90 seconds till midnight, the closest it has ever been. This graphic representation of our proximity to doomsday focuses our attention on the risk we face. The Bulletin’s scientific committee arrives at their calculation based on the ongoing interconnected existential threats of nuclear war and climate change, coupled with the man-made disruptive technologies of artificial intelligence and bio-security risks.
This year those risks are heightened with the ongoing wars in Ukraine and Israel, coupled with the continuing political tensions in the Taiwan Strait that continue after last week’s presidential elections. In addition, global hotspots continue between India and Pakistan and North Korea with its ongoing nuclear program development. In the United States during this presidential election year, there’s no word from our elder candidates of the risks of nuclear war and the need to work towards the abolition of these weapons. Seemingly oblivious to the risks of nuclear famine, even from a limited nuclear exchange that puts all of humanity at risk, or more egregiously beholden to the nuclear industrial complex, they ignore the growing will of the people both here at home and around the world calling for nuclear abolition. Rather, they hold on to the myth of deterrence which in actuality is the main driver of the arms race and why we have 12,000 weapons today with every nuclear nation rebuilding their arsenals.
In spite of the risks mentioned, there is hope in this world. The Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW), declares nuclear weapons, like all other weapons of mass destruction, illegal to have, use, develop, stockpile, transfer to other countries, or threaten to use and entered into force January 22, 2021. Currently almost half of all countries have joined the Treaty with 93 signatories and 70 states parties. The Treaty held its second meeting of states parties in New York in November. That conference identified nuclear deterrence as the main driver of the arms race. The Treaty supported by Civil Society, and the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) with its 650 member organizations from 110 countries provides a legal framework for the abolition of nuclear weapons and a path forward for nuclear nations to sign the Treaty with the commitment for a time bound, verifiable elimination of their arsenals.
In the United States, there is a parallel grassroots movement of civil society called Back from the Brink which supports the TPNW with the precautionary measures that provide safeguards until these weapons are abolished. This movement is supported by 473 organizations, 76 cities and counties, 7 state legislative bodies, 426 municipal and state elected officials, and has been codified in the U.S. House of Representatives H. Res 77 sponsored by Rep. Jim McGovern (D-Mass.) with 42 co-sponsors.
At 90 seconds to midnight, we face an urgent reality. This is a reality that does not have to be but will remain unless we awaken and act now. In our democracy, we have the ability to speak out and demand that our elected officials act on our behalf and for all of humanity. We must resist the status quo and push for a world and future that can be… a world free of nuclear weapons that allows us to direct all of our attention to sustaining our planet for future generations.
- With Doomsday Clock at 90 Seconds to Midnight, 'It's Time to Act' ›
- Stuck on the Brink, Doomsday Clock Leaves Humanity 3 Minutes to Midnight ›
- "Our Planet, Our Future"--Another Desperate Plea for Humanity to Wake Up ›
- 'Unprecedented Danger': Doomsday Clock Set at 90 Seconds to Midnight ›
- 'Doomsday Clock' Ticks Forward: Climate Change, Nuclear Weapons Push Humanity Closer Towards Global Catastrophe ›
- Opinion | The Commemoration of the Criminal Bravo H-Bomb Test Is a Cry for a Nuclear Free World | Common Dreams ›
- Opinion | No, We’re Not Stuck With Nuclear Weapons | Common Dreams ›
Nuclear War. Not an easy topic to think about, one we’d rather ignore, pretend the risk is not real, or that the weapons no longer exist. This altered reality we live in denies the stark reality that the risk of nuclear war is real, with us every moment, and actually higher than at any point since the dawn of the nuclear age and the nuclear bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945. We live in a world with over 12,000 nuclear weapons, many of which are on hair trigger alert, ready to launch at short notice. That notice could be real, misinterpreted, or not even present. There have been many near misses that have brought us to the brink of nuclear war over the years.
In our democracy, we have the ability to speak out and demand that our elected officials act on our behalf and for all of humanity.
On Tuesday, the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists unveiled their metaphorical Doomsday Clock, setting the time at 90 seconds till midnight, the closest it has ever been. This graphic representation of our proximity to doomsday focuses our attention on the risk we face. The Bulletin’s scientific committee arrives at their calculation based on the ongoing interconnected existential threats of nuclear war and climate change, coupled with the man-made disruptive technologies of artificial intelligence and bio-security risks.
This year those risks are heightened with the ongoing wars in Ukraine and Israel, coupled with the continuing political tensions in the Taiwan Strait that continue after last week’s presidential elections. In addition, global hotspots continue between India and Pakistan and North Korea with its ongoing nuclear program development. In the United States during this presidential election year, there’s no word from our elder candidates of the risks of nuclear war and the need to work towards the abolition of these weapons. Seemingly oblivious to the risks of nuclear famine, even from a limited nuclear exchange that puts all of humanity at risk, or more egregiously beholden to the nuclear industrial complex, they ignore the growing will of the people both here at home and around the world calling for nuclear abolition. Rather, they hold on to the myth of deterrence which in actuality is the main driver of the arms race and why we have 12,000 weapons today with every nuclear nation rebuilding their arsenals.
In spite of the risks mentioned, there is hope in this world. The Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW), declares nuclear weapons, like all other weapons of mass destruction, illegal to have, use, develop, stockpile, transfer to other countries, or threaten to use and entered into force January 22, 2021. Currently almost half of all countries have joined the Treaty with 93 signatories and 70 states parties. The Treaty held its second meeting of states parties in New York in November. That conference identified nuclear deterrence as the main driver of the arms race. The Treaty supported by Civil Society, and the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) with its 650 member organizations from 110 countries provides a legal framework for the abolition of nuclear weapons and a path forward for nuclear nations to sign the Treaty with the commitment for a time bound, verifiable elimination of their arsenals.
In the United States, there is a parallel grassroots movement of civil society called Back from the Brink which supports the TPNW with the precautionary measures that provide safeguards until these weapons are abolished. This movement is supported by 473 organizations, 76 cities and counties, 7 state legislative bodies, 426 municipal and state elected officials, and has been codified in the U.S. House of Representatives H. Res 77 sponsored by Rep. Jim McGovern (D-Mass.) with 42 co-sponsors.
At 90 seconds to midnight, we face an urgent reality. This is a reality that does not have to be but will remain unless we awaken and act now. In our democracy, we have the ability to speak out and demand that our elected officials act on our behalf and for all of humanity. We must resist the status quo and push for a world and future that can be… a world free of nuclear weapons that allows us to direct all of our attention to sustaining our planet for future generations.
- With Doomsday Clock at 90 Seconds to Midnight, 'It's Time to Act' ›
- Stuck on the Brink, Doomsday Clock Leaves Humanity 3 Minutes to Midnight ›
- "Our Planet, Our Future"--Another Desperate Plea for Humanity to Wake Up ›
- 'Unprecedented Danger': Doomsday Clock Set at 90 Seconds to Midnight ›
- 'Doomsday Clock' Ticks Forward: Climate Change, Nuclear Weapons Push Humanity Closer Towards Global Catastrophe ›
- Opinion | The Commemoration of the Criminal Bravo H-Bomb Test Is a Cry for a Nuclear Free World | Common Dreams ›
- Opinion | No, We’re Not Stuck With Nuclear Weapons | Common Dreams ›