That is why we have signed the open letter from scientists supporting a total ban on nuclear weapons. We believe it is our moral duty to speak out and warn the world about this grave danger.
Nuclear weapons are a unique threat because of their unparalleled destructive power. A single nuclear weapon can kill hundreds of thousands of people and devastate an entire city. The radioactive fallout from a nuclear war could render vast areas of the Earth uninhabitable. And the climate effects of a nuclear war could cause the global average temperature to rise by several degrees Celsius. This would have catastrophic consequences for human civilization, and could even threaten the survival of our species.
In addition to the direct threat to human life, nuclear weapons also pose a serious risk to the environment. The production, testing, and use of nuclear weapons have all caused significant environmental damage, and a nuclear war would cause even greater devastation. The radioactive contamination from a nuclear war would pollute the air, the water, and the soil, making them unusable for centuries to come.
We believe that the risks of nuclear weapons outweigh any potential benefits. There is no way to justify the possession of these weapons, and no military purpose can justify the risk of a nuclear war.
We call on all governments to sign and ratify the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW), and to take concrete steps to reduce nuclear stockpiles and eliminate nuclear weapons. We also call on all scientists and engineers to refuse to work on nuclear weapons and to use their skills and knowledge to promote peaceful solutions to conflict.
As scientists, we have a responsibility to speak truth to power. We have a responsibility to warn the world about the dangers of nuclear weapons. We have a responsibility to work for a peaceful world, free from the threat of nuclear annihilation.
We hope that you will join us in this vital cause.
