Three Risks of Nuclear War
Nuclear war is always a threat, and no one can guarantee that it won’t happen. Though nuclear experts disagree on when the next use will occur, there are three risks that can be argued as the most likely to happen:
The first risk involves the Potential Depletion of Fuel Supplies. Although the US may have adequate oil, gas, and coal reserves, this may not be enough to compensate for the loss of investment. Second, a nuclear war will deplete a country’s natural resources. While the extent of depletion is an open debate, it is possible to develop a rough estimate by using simplified assumptions. The United States would be at least five to seven years after a nuclear war if its supply chain could sustain a viable economy.
A large yellow circle represents the fireball radius. If the bomb were to land on the US, it would cover 134 square miles. The explosion would cause a massive pulse that would black out the entire country and even parts of Canada. This pulse would cause major burns and some victims may lose limbs. The shock wave would cause severe damage to buildings and infrastructure. The explosion would cause a crater that would be several miles wide and two miles deep.
A second major effect would be black smoke. Black smoke would cover the earth for weeks, and the surface temperatures would drop by 17 to 20 degrees Fahrenheit for the first few years. The temperatures would eventually rise, but the first years would be brutal. The Northern Hemisphere would experience the coldest temperatures. The resulting black smoke would have disastrous effects around the world. Moreover, the black smoke would spread far and wide and contaminate water supplies.
In addition to the above, nuclear weapons can be expensive and dangerous. In addition to destroying cities, they could cause a global famine and a rapidly cooling climate. It could wipe out civilization as we know it. While nuclear weapons are often used to defend a nation against attacks, the risks of accidental nuclear war are high. Only nine countries today have nuclear weapons. However, there are seven countries with less than a few hundred. A nuclear war could cost billions of dollars to fight and destroy, threatening world peace.
While the risks of nuclear war are real, many experts believe that a nuclear war is unlikely. Only a handful of people can initiate the event. As the technology to build nuclear weapons increases, the threat of war also increases. And the longer it is a threat, the more likely it will happen. This is why we must be wary of nuclear weapons technology. You can never be too safe. One mistake can ruin a world civilization. The only way to protect ourselves is to avoid it.
The most important thing we can do to stop nuclear war is to eliminate all existing nuclear weapons. Even if they are not used, these weapons can destroy entire cities. They can kill millions and have long-lasting consequences. Their very existence makes them dangerous. Only two people have used nuclear weapons in warfare. In 1945, the US and the Soviet Union used nuclear weapons in the battle against Japan. Today, thirteen thousand nuclear weapons are still in the world, and more than two thousand nuclear tests have been conducted. The best protection against nuclear weapons is disarmament, but that has been a challenge.
Also Read: NATO and the United States Should Be Prepared for a Nuclear War With Russia
