by Peer Mohammad Amir Qureshi
Ironically, some of the most powerful nations advocating for disarmament are themselves engaged in a nuclear arms race, imposing restrictions on other countries while hypocritically expanding their arsenals and exerting pressure through sanctions and other means.
Science and technology have long been the cornerstone of human progress, modernising societies and enhancing the quality of life while expanding the possibilities of human potential. The benefits of scientific innovation are profound and far-reaching, encompassing medical breakthroughs that have led to the cure of diseases, as well as technologies that have connected the global village.
However, these same innovations that have the potential to uplift human potential can also result in unintended consequences, as poignantly illustrated by the events commemorated on Hiroshima Day.
Science and technology have fundamentally altered the fabric of human existence. Advances in medical science have yielded vaccines, antibiotics, and treatments that have saved millions of lives. Agricultural innovations have bolstered food security by increasing production, ensuring that more people have access to sufficient nutrition. Technological strides have revolutionised communication, enabling instant connectivity across the globe. Meanwhile, space exploration has opened vast frontiers in our understanding of the universe, inspiring generations with its vastness and mysteries.
The Shadows
Despite the numerous benefits afforded by scientific and technological progress, it is impossible to entirely disregard the adverse consequences. The very innovations that provide solutions simultaneously introduce novel problems. Industrialisation and technological development have precipitated environmental degradation, resulting in climate change, deforestation, loss of biodiversity, and related impacts. Besides, the advent of information technology has raised concerns regarding privacy, cybersecurity, and the digital divide. Additionally, military technological advancements have intensified the severity and consequences of conflicts.
The survivors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, known as hibakusha, bear the indelible scars of their experiences, which have left an enduring impact on Japanese society. As the majority of the hibakusha are now elderly, residing in their late 80s and 90s, their numbers are dwindling due to natural ageing. Consequently, few remaining testimonials can recount their experiences firsthand. A significant number of hibakusha continue to suffer from adverse health effects stemming from radiation exposure, including increased cancer cases, chronic diseases, and mental trauma. Ongoing medical monitoring and treatment are essential to address these health aspects.
Support for the Hibakusha
The Japanese government assists the hibakusha through various programmes, encompassing health benefits, financial support, and counselling. Specialised hospitals and medical facilities have been established to treat illnesses related to radiation exposure. The hibakusha have emerged as living testaments to history and advocates for nuclear disarmament. Their testimonies play a vital role in raising awareness about the aftermath of nuclear war and promoting efforts toward peace.
The Devastating Potential
The nuclear weapons of today are exponentially more potent than those that devastated Hiroshima and Nagasaki during the Second World War. Contemporary nuclear arsenals possess the capability to unleash destruction on a vastly greater scale.
A comparison of yields highlights the staggering difference. The atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki had yields of approximately 15 kilotons and 21 kilotons of TNT equivalent, respectively. In contrast, modern nuclear weapons boast yields ranging from a few kilotons to tens of megatons. The Tsar Bomb, the largest nuclear weapon ever tested by the Soviet Union, yielded a colossal 50 megatons – roughly 3,000 times more powerful than the bomb that ravaged Hiroshima.
The blast radius of a modern 1-megaton weapon is sufficient to obliterate several square miles, with the exact radius dependent on the weapon’s yield and altitude of detonation. The result is immediate and complete annihilation within the spherical area of detonation, accompanied by severe damage at a significantly greater distance. As the blast wave radiates outward, the destruction only intensifies, leaving a trail of devastation in its wake.
The Devastating Consequences
Thermal Radiation: The intense heat generated by a nuclear explosion can inflict severe burns and ignite fires over a vast area, with the potential to destroy buildings miles away from the blast site. This thermal radiation can have far-reaching consequences, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.
Radiation Effects: The initial burst of radiation, comprising gamma rays and neutrons, is emitted in the immediate aftermath of a nuclear explosion. This radiation can induce acute radiation sickness and death, with the intensity of exposure greatest in proximity to the blast.
Fallout: The explosion of a nuclear bomb can disseminate radioactivity over extensive areas, contingent upon prevailing wind patterns. This fallout can contaminate soil, water, and air, culminating in long-term damage to health, including increased cancer risk and genetic damage. The environmental impact is profound, with far-reaching consequences for future generations.
Nuclear Winter: The catastrophic consequences of a full-scale nuclear exchange would be felt globally, as temperatures plummet due to the sheer quantity of soot and dust blocking sunlight – a phenomenon ominously dubbed “nuclear winter”. This would have far-reaching repercussions, including worldwide disruptions to ecosystems, agriculture, and food supplies.
Long-Term Devastation
The grim reality of nuclear war extends far beyond the initial blast, with long-term environmental damage to land and water, persistent radiation effects, and disruptions to human and ecological systems. The psychological toll of such destruction, coupled with the geopolitical fallout, only adds to the sense of unease that pervades the world.
Ironically, some of the most powerful nations advocating for disarmament are themselves engaged in a nuclear arms race, imposing restrictions on other countries while hypocritically expanding their arsenals and exerting pressure through sanctions and other means.
As of 2024, the nuclear arsenal landscape reveals a stark reality, with the United States possessing approximately 5,400 nuclear warheads, a significant proportion of which are in reserve or awaiting dismantlement. Russia surpasses the US with around 5,500 nuclear warheads, albeit with fewer reserves. China’s arsenal is growing but still trails behind with approximately 410 nuclear warheads. France and the UK maintain modest yet significant stockpiles of 290 and 225 nuclear warheads, respectively.
Meanwhile, other nuclear-armed nations like India, Pakistan, and North Korea possess smaller arsenals. Amidst this landscape, efforts towards arms control and disarmament strive to curb the growth of nuclear stockpiles, to reduce the overall number of weapons at the disposal of states.
The Path to Disarmament
Disarmament, though a formidable and intricate challenge, remains a vital and attainable objective in today’s world. The journey towards arms control is paved with significant considerations, particularly in the realm of nuclear disarmament.
International Agreements
Existing treaties and frameworks, notably the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, provide a legal foundation for meaningful disarmament. These instruments aim to prevent proliferation, reduce stockpiles, and ultimately eliminate nuclear weapons, offering a glimmer of hope in the pursuit of a more secure and peaceful world.
Verification and Compliance
Robust verification mechanisms are essential to ensure the faithful implementation of disarmament agreements. International organisations such as the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) play a vital role in monitoring compliance, providing a crucial safeguard against deception.
Security Concerns
The perception that nuclear weapons are indispensable for national security and deterrence persists among many nations. Addressing these concerns is crucial to advancing disarmament. Confidence-building measures, strategic dialogues, and security assurances can help alleviate fears and foster trust.
A Collective Endeavour
Effective disarmament demands cooperation between nuclear-armed and non-nuclear states. Diplomacy, negotiations, and multilateral forums offer a platform for discussion and agreement. The success of historical agreements like START and INF demonstrates the potential for progress through sustained effort.
Global Initiatives
Various global initiatives and organisations, including the United Nations, Global Zero, and the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons, are dedicated to promoting disarmament. These efforts help shape international norms and foster a culture of disarmament.
A Vision for the Future
Disarmament, though an enormously challenging objective, remains a realistic and necessary goal. Achieving progress requires cooperation among nations, rigorous verification, assuagement of security concerns, unwavering political will, and public support. Ongoing diplomatic efforts and processes are vital to creating a world with fewer, or ideally, no nuclear weapons.
Let us strive for a world where the spectre of destruction no longer looms, bathed in the warm light of love and peace, embracing all humanity. Let us envision a future where the threat of weapons of mass destruction is but a distant memory and science and technology are harnessed solely to uplift and advance human civilisation.
Our collective aspiration should be to enter an era of peace, where innovation shines as a beacon of hope and progress, cultivating a harmonious and prosperous global community. In this world, humanity can flourish, unencumbered by the fear of devastation, and nurtured by the promise of a brighter tomorrow.
(The author is a columnist based in Ganderbal, Kashmir. Ideas are personal)
