Over the past eight decades, humanity has witnessed the detonation of more than 2,000 nuclear bombs across the globe. From the devastating events in Hiroshima and Nagasaki to the current geopolitical landscape, these explosions have profoundly impacted history, politics, the environment, and the very fabric of human existence. This exploration delves into the comprehensive impact of the nuclear age on the world.
The horrors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki demonstrated the devastating power of nuclear weapons. In 1945, during the final stages of World War II, the United States dropped the ‘Little Boy’ on Hiroshima and the ‘Fat Man’ on Nagasaki. The immediate impact resulted in the deaths of over 100,000 people. The aftermath brought about a long-term tragedy with radioactive fallout causing widespread diseases, cancers, and birth defects in subsequent generations. Today, Japan still has over 540,000 ‘Hibakusha,’ survivors of the nuclear attacks.
Following the US bombings, the Soviet Union conducted its first nuclear test in 1949. This was followed by the inclusion of the United Kingdom, France, and China into the nuclear club.
The 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis brought the world to the brink of a third world war, revealing the threat nuclear weapons posed to humanity. At the time, US President John F. Kennedy stated, “We came as close to nuclear war as we have ever been.”
From 1945 to the present, over 2,000 nuclear explosions have occurred worldwide. Of these, 528 were atmospheric tests, which spread radioactive particles globally. Residents of the Marshall Islands, Kazakhstan (Soviet Union), Algeria (France), and Australia continue to grapple with the consequences of these tests, suffering from cancers, leukemia, and genetic diseases.
Dr. Arjun Makhijani, President of the Institute for Energy and Environmental Research, has stated, “Radioactive fallout from atmospheric tests has posed a threat to the health of all humans.”
In 1974, India conducted its first nuclear test, code-named ‘Smiling Buddha.’ In 1998, following Pokhran-II, Pakistan also conducted nuclear tests in Chagai. Today, these nations collectively possess about 334 nuclear weapons.
Currently, nine countries possess approximately 12,300 nuclear weapons. These include Russia (5,580), the United States (5,044), China (410), France (290), the United Kingdom (225), Pakistan (170), India (164), Israel (90), and North Korea (50).
According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), “the total global expenditure on nuclear weapons by countries reached $91.4 billion in 2024.”
During the Russo-Ukrainian war, Putin openly threatened the use of nuclear weapons. In February 2024, Putin stated that “Russia is technically ready for nuclear war.” Simultaneously, China is rapidly expanding its nuclear arsenal. The US Department of Defense estimates that China could possess 1,000 nuclear weapons by 2030.
Nuclear tests have doubled the amount of radioactive carbon-14 in the atmosphere. According to experts, this element remains in our food chain. Dr. Owen Toon, an atmospheric scientist at the University of Colorado, suggests that “an exchange of only 100 Hiroshima-sized bombs could cause a nuclear winter, resulting in widespread famine and millions of deaths worldwide.”
Survivors in the Marshall Islands, Kazakhstan, and Nevada continue to suffer from cancer, birth defects, and radiation-induced illnesses. The U.S. government increased compensation for ‘downwinders’ of the Nevada Test Site in 2023.
Despite the 1970 Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), the modernization of weapons continues. The Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, states, “Nuclear disarmament is no longer just political but a moral responsibility.”
The Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) came into effect in 2021, but major nuclear powers have not joined. Countries like India and Pakistan adopt a policy of ‘minimum deterrence,’ while the arms race continues.
The world stands at a precarious juncture, where nuclear weapons and technology are increasing, and global demands for disarmament are intensifying. Global spending on nuclear weapons exceeded $100 billion in 2024, and the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) with nuclear weapons presents new threats. According to a recent report from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, the combination of AI and nuclear weapons could increase the possibility of nuclear war through errors or cyberattacks.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres recently stated, “The only way to eliminate the absurd and suicidal shadow of nuclear destruction is through complete disarmament.”
The Hibakusha of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the victims of the Marshall Islands, and peace activists around the world warn the world that humanity will never be safe while nuclear weapons exist. Beatrice Fihn of the Nobel Peace Prize-winning ICAN’s recent message is: “Each new generation must ask themselves, will we force our children to live under the shadow of nuclear weapons?”
Complete eradication of nuclear weapons is a challenging goal, but it is not impossible. Global political will, technical controls, transparency, and awareness among civil society are crucial. The dream will remain incomplete until the most powerful nations take the lead. However, the hope lies in the voices of millions of scientists, leaders, and ordinary citizens who continue to advocate for change, creating the most significant power for change in the future.
