Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, June 5, 2023
Posted: 18th June 2023
June 5, 2023
Susan Solomon, MIT professor and member of the Bulletin Science and Security Board, poses in Antarctica with some of the locals, 1987. Image courtesy of Susan Solomon
CLIMATE CHANGE
Interview with Susan Solomon: The healing of the ozone hole
In this interview with the Bulletin’s Dan Drollette Jr., Susan Solomon explains why it’s important to make people aware of promising climate outcomes, and celebrate them—while being sure to keep the pressure on those in charge to see the solutions through to the end. Read more.
BIOSECURITY
An illustrated history of the world’s deadliest epidemics
How does the COVID-19 pandemic compare to viral outbreaks of the past? Due to the unreliability of official figures, it can be tricky to nail down an exact number. This is nothing new, even at a time when analytics reign supreme. Read more.
DISRUPTIVE TECHNOLOGIES
One way attack: How loitering munitions are shaping conflictsOne-way attack drones are an increasingly critical element of contemporary armed conflicts. Nowhere is this more evident than in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Read more.
Looking for that special gift?
The Bulletin’s tribute gift program is a thoughtful way to honor someone important in your life on Father’s Day, a birthday, an anniversary, a graduation, or any special occasion and to celebrate the life of a friend, relative, or mentor.
Thank you—together we make a difference.
IN THE NEWS
Errors from ChatGPT: Hallucinated whoppers rather than pedantic subtletiesBulletin Science and Security Board member Herb Lin asked ChatGPT about a topic he knows well — himself. It ended up being a “quite alarming” experience, he writes in Lawfare. Read more.
NUCLEAR RISK
President Lyndon B. Johnson and the ‘Daisy Girl’ nuclear war commercial
This artifact from our virtual Turn Back the Clock tour highlights President Lyndon B. Johnson’s re-election campaign that included the infamous “Daisy Girl” TV commercial, which depicted a future in which his opponent had led the country into nuclear war. Read more.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“When scientists and the public fret about sea level rise, they mostly focus on when and where communities will be permanently flooded. But there’s another consequence of rising seas that will affect many more people much sooner: getting cut off from roads and other critical infrastructure.”
— Brian Owens, “Rising Sea Levels Will Isolate People Long Before They’re Underwater”, Hakai Magazine
Your ongoing support ensures we stay on mission and get the job done.
Thank you!