Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, October 3, 2024
Posted: 3rd October 2024
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Used wisely, AI can enhance citizen input, discourse, and collaboration. (Credit: Thomas Gaulkin / Feodora52 / depositphotos.com)
ABI OLVERA
Don’t panic: AI can strengthen democracyThe anticipated influence of AI on political discourse and toleration is likely to be more subtle than originally feared. Read more.
CHAD SMALL
E-fuels are better for the climate than fossil fuels, so why haven’t they taken off yet?Electrifying cars alone won’t solve the problem of all transportation-related emissions, and electrifying other forms of transportation is currently unrealistic. That’s where e-fuels can come in as a piece of the climate puzzle. Read more.
JOHN MORALES
Hurricane Helene isn’t an outlier. It’s a harbinger of the future.Helene became more intense while passing over waters that were over 3°F hotter than historical averages, “a condition made 600 times more likely by climate change, according to Climate Central’s CSI Ocean index.” Read more.
MARIANA BUDJERYN
Why Russia is more likely to go nuclear in Ukraine if it’s winningIn Ukraine, a winning Russia might have more to gain—and less to lose—from a nuclear strike than a retreating Russia. Read more.
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The following articles were published earlier this year during a period of increased tensions in the Middle East, the first before Iran directly attacked Israel and the second afterwards. They are being republished due to their relevance to this week’s Iranian missile attack against Israel and the near-certainty of some sort of Israeli retaliation.
HENRY SOKOLSKI
Wargame simulated a conflict between Israel and Iran: It quickly went nuclear
A wargame reveals how Israel and Iran could quickly consider using nuclear weapons if ever drawn into a direct conflict. Read more.
DARYA DOLZIKOVA, MATTHEW SAVILL
Iran vs. Israel redux: The enormous difficulties and ramifications if Israel attacks Iran’s nuclear sites
“The possibility of Iranian [nuclear] weaponization and Israeli attacks on Iran’s nuclear sites could lead to a serious escalation spiral and, potentially, a wider military conflict in the region.” Read more.
Israel’s April 19 strike on the Eighth Shekari Air Base in Iran reportedly damaged a S-300 missile defense system (shown here during a test in 2017) deployed to protect the nearby nuclear sites. (Credit: Still shot from Rasane TV)
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“This storm has the fingerprints of climate change all over it [...] Helene was supercharged by climate change and we should expect more storms like this going forward.”
— Kathie Dello, North Carolina’s state climatologist, ”’Nowhere is safe’: shattered Asheville shows stunning reach of climate crisis,” Guardian
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