The continuing environmental threat of nuclear weapons: Integrated policy responses

Humans have come to the realization that pollution of the atmosphere with gases and particles in the past 50 years is the dominant cause of atmospheric change [ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change , 2007]. While land‐use change can produce large regional effects, ozone depletion, global warming, and nuclear smoke all are humandriven problems that have actual or potential global adverse impacts on our fragile environment, each with severe consequences for humanity. These effects were, or would be, inadvertent and unplanned consequences of normal daily activities, the defense policies of many nations, and nuclear proliferation. Thus, we must seek ways of continuing our normal lives while protecting ourselves from environmental catastrophe.