Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, February 12, 2024

DANIEL ZIMMER, JOHANNA RODEHAU-NOACK
Today’s AI threat: More like nuclear winter than nuclear war

“Uncritically equating acute nuclear attack effects and AI threats risks reproducing the same kind of all-or-nothing thinking that drove some of the most dangerous dynamics of the nuclear arms race,” write two security experts. Read more.

VICTOR GILINSKY
Congress takes aim at the Nuclear Regulatory Commission: ‘It’s déjà vu all over again’

“While the historical industry attacks on the NRC put self-interest above public safety, the agency, after its accommodating responses, didn’t come out looking good, either,” writes a former NRC commissioner. Read more.

DANIEL R. POST
Escalating to de-escalate with nuclear weapons: Research shows it’s a particularly bad idea

Escalating a conflict with the expectation that an opponent will back down—for example, threatening limited use of nuclear weapons—is a flawed strategy that is likely to backfire, writes a US Naval War College professor. Read more.

JENNIFER A. FRANCIS
What in the world is weather whiplash?

This winter has seen all-time high temperatures in Minnesota, and all-time lows in Texas. In January, “parts of Montana saw a 90 to 100-degree temperature swing in the span of a month,” writes a climate researcher. Read more.

SPECIAL TOPICS
The Bulletin welcomes 2024 editorial fellows

The Bulletin is thrilled to welcome Shayna Korol, Abi Olvera, and Chloe Shrager as 2024 editorial fellows and to announce that Bulletin climate change fellow, Chad Small, will return for a second year of the program. Read more.

QUOTE OF THE DAY
​​​​
“Many people find the topic of global warming tiresome or depressing because of the apocalyptic stakes at play. But even some scientists and activists agree: Climate change has a messaging problem.”

—Hilary Howard, “Climate Change Is No Laughing Matter. Or Is It?” The New York Times

Your ongoing support ensures we stay on mission and get the job done.
​​​Thank you!