Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists January 19th 2023
Posted: 19th January 2023
Jan. 19, 2023
NUCLEAR RISK
How the war in Ukraine hinders US-Russian nuclear arms controlThe war in Ukraine has worsened US-Russian strategic dialogue. Yet the clock ticks away before the main—and only—treaty on nuclear arms control expires in 2026, says former US ambassador to Ukraine Steven Pifer. Read more.
DISRUPTIVE TECHNOLOGIES
Interview with the founder of the Museum of FailureFear of failure is a big obstacle to innovation, says psychologist Samuel West. To help us embrace failure, West launched an exhibit in June 2017 that showcased botched products and ideas. Read more.
NUCLEAR RISK
The US has a new nuclear proliferation problem: South KoreaWhile a South Korean nuclear weapons program would violate obligations to nuclear nonproliferation that Seoul agreed to, the redeployment of US nuclear weapons would leave the South vulnerable to many of the same risks, says a nuclear policy expert. Read more.
Know the time: Watch the 2023 Doomsday Clock
Next Tuesday, tune in to see what the Bulletin’s Science and Security Board has set the Doomsday Clock at for 2023. Hear from speakers including former president of Ireland Mary Robinson, former president of Mongolia Elbegdorj Tsakhia, Bulletin president and CEO Rachel Bronson, and more.
DOOMSDAY CLOCK
How close to midnight is humanity? 2023 Doomsday Clock announcement could warn of nuclear disasterIn this USA Today article, Elizabeth Weise reports on the history, purpose, and prominence of the Doomsday Clock as well as details about the upcoming Clock announcement on Jan. 24. Read more.
NUCLEAR RISK
Nuclear Notebook: United States nuclear weapons, 2023Nuclear information experts Hans M. Kristensen and Matt Korda provide the latest estimates on the number of deployed warheads, tactical bombs, strategic warheads, and retired nuclear weapons in the US arsenal. Read more.
CLIMATE CHANGE
Why the ozone hole is on track to be healed by mid-centurySusan Solomon, an internationally recognized leader in atmospheric science and member of the Bulletin’s board, shares insights from her ground-breaking research on the Antarctic ozone “hole” in this Vox article. Read more.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“Soon everyone who is dependent on coal, oil and gas will jump on the solar engineering bandwagon and say, ‘We can continue for 40 years with fossil fuels’ now.’ This debate threatens to derail current climate policies. It’s a huge risk.”
— Frank Biermann, a political scientist at Utrecht University, “Should We Block the Sun to Counter Climate Change?” New York Times
Your ongoing support ensures we stay on mission and get the job done.
Thank you!