Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, July 3, 2023
Posted: 3rd July 2023
July 3, 2023
Illustration by Erik English under license from Alexdndz / Adobe.
DISRUPTIVE TECHNOLOGIES
When looking is dangerous: How solar radiation management research can harm
Researching risky technologies intended to address climate change—such as stratospheric aerosol injection—could cascade into harmful actions, writes climate researcher Aaron Tang. Read more.
CLIMATE CHANGE
The Public Lands Rule: Can conservation leasing mitigate impacts from energy and mining?
A proposed new rule on US government management of public lands is open for comment until July 5th. Supporters see it as a major victory for conservation efforts, but Professor Dustin Mulvaney is not so sure. Read more.
NUCLEAR RISK
Saudi Arabia can alleviate US concerns over its civilian nuclear energy program. Here’s how.
Saudi Arabia can ease at least some US concerns about its nuclear ambitions and create a more credible profile for itself as a responsible nuclear power by investing in effective nuclear safety and security measures, write a nonproliferation expert and a security specialist. Read more.
The Oppenheimer Files
Robert J. Oppenheimer, who was the first chair of the Bulletin’s board of sponsors, is back in the spotlight with the upcoming Christopher Nolan film focused on his involvement in the Manhattan Project.
Prepare for the movie and the release of our July magazine issue on Oppenheimer by joining us for weekly updates exploring the life and legacy of “the father of the atomic bomb.”
SPECIAL TOPICS
The terror of threes in the heavens and on Earth
Physicists have long explored how phenomena in groups of three can sow chaos. In this New York Times article, two members of the Bulletin’s board of sponsors and other experts examine the risks involved with a potential three-way nuclear arms race. Read more.
DISRUPTIVE TECHNOLOGIES
See a map of all the labs studying the world’s most dangerous pathogens
The Bulletin collaborated with researchers from King’s College London and George Mason University to launch a map of biosafety level 4 (BSL-4) and BSL-3+ labs around the world. View the map.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“This is not something that we’re talking about future generations dealing with. We are truly the first generation to feel the real effects of climate change.”
— New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, “Wildfire smoke hits New York again,” CNBC
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