Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, August 17, 2023
Posted: 17th August 2023
August 17, 2023
Plaintiffs in the case Held v. Montana en route to the courthouse during the historic climate trial. (Photo: Our Children’s Trust/Wikipedia, CC BY 3.0)
CLIMATE CHANGE
Montana climate case delivers win for youth, science, and the environment
A remarkable decision made in the Montana District Court this week shows that climate change poses a clear and present threat to humans and the environment, writes climate and water scientist Peter Gleick. Read more.
NUCLEAR RISK
Nolan’s Oppenheimer: an artistic visual tapestry of the bomb’s science and power intricacies
Nuclear non-proliferation expert Lovely Umayam explains how Nolan’s artistic portrayal of Oppenheimer connects the science of nuclear fission with technology, war, and power. Read more.
NUCLEAR RISK
A tale of two suspects: Oppenheimer versus A Compassionate Spy
US intelligence knew Ted Hall had given the Soviets atomic bomb plans, but he remained free, eventually passing away in 1999. Oppenheimer, who did not spy for the Soviets, was subjected to a loyalty hearing and publicly disgraced. How could things turn out that way? Read more.
The newest Bulletin T-shirt design features a 1975 magazine cover
This cover design comes from an issue in theBulletin’s archives that focused heavily on the threats humanity faced on the threshold of the last quarter of the twentieth century. From arms control discussions to articles about how to combat a mounting energy crisis, this issue featured commentary from multiple leading experts.
SPECIAL TOPICS
An avid peace activist’s agenda from 1975
In this 1975 Bulletin article, nuclear activist, journalist, and champion of free speech Samuel H. Day Jr. argues for the need to build strong global institutions to address the world’s issues. Many of which—such as nuclear proliferation and environmental degradation—the world continues to face today. Read more.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists and many others continuously warn how a nuclear crisis could unfold with unimaginable speed and pose dangers on a scale that could dwarf the suffering caused by climate change, pandemics, and all other wars combined.”
— Jon Letman, GIVE TODAY