Peer Mohammad Amir Qureshi
Science and technology have been the corner Stone of progress for humans, modernizing societies and improving the quality of life, while furthering the possibilities of human potential. The gains from science innovation, from medical breakthroughs culminating in the cure of diseases to technologies connecting the global village, are deep and far-reaching. However, these same very innovations that would uplift human potential can result in unintended consequences, as shown by Hiroshima Day events.
The Promises of Science and Technology
Science and technology have changed the very fabric of human existence. The advances in medical science have resulted in vaccines, antibiotics, and treatments that have saved millions. Food security has been enhanced with agricultural innovations increasing production. Technological strides have transformed communication, now able to reach across the globe in an instant. Space exploration has opened vast frontiers in the understanding of the universe and has inspired generations.
The Shadows of Technological Advancement
Though all these benefits are realized under the current achievement of science and technology, the adverse effects cannot be totally ruled out. The very advances that provide solutions introduce new problems. Industrialization and technological development for environmental degradation caused climate change, deforestation, loss of biodiversity, and related impact. The information technology raised issues with the spread regarding privacy, cybersecurity, and digital divide. Besides, military technological growth increased the intensity and effects of conflicts.
Hiroshima Day: A Grim Reminder
One of the deepest examples of the negative effects of scientific progress is the Hiroshima bombing. On August 6, 1945, the United States dropped an atomic bomb with the codename “Little Boy” on the Japanese city of Hiroshima. This event was an immediate result of the progress made in nuclear technology and became one of the darkest minutes of human history. In terms of instantaneous damages, the bomb explosion totally destroyed most of the city and killed approximately 140,000 people by the end of 1945. The survivors of this attack, currently known as hibakusha, experienced critical physical and emotional suffering due to the radiation sickness and injuries sustained. The atomic bombing of Hiroshima, followed by that of Nagasaki three days later, was instrumental in Japan’s surrender and thus in ending World War II. However, on the bright side, that heralded an equally frightening aspect of scientific progress applied to warfare.Most of the hibakusha are now elderly, most of them in their late 80s and 90s. The current living population of hibakusha has decreased due to natural aging; few surviving testimonials can recount the experience. A large number of the hibakusha still bear the adverse health effects brought about by exposure to radiation, such as increased cases of cancer, chronic diseases, and mental trauma. The health aspects continue to be monitored and treated.
The Japanese government extends its help to the hibakusha through a number of programs, including health benefits, financial support, and counseling. This also provides a number of specialized hospitals and medical facilities for the treatment of illnesses related to radiation.The Hibakusha have become recognized as the living testimony to history and nuclear disarmament advocates. Their testimonies undoubtedly lead in terms of raising awareness about the aftermath of nuclear war and efforts toward peace.
The Power Of Modern Nuclear Weapons:
Today’s nuclear weapons are far more potent than those dropped during the Second World War. In fact, contemporary nuclear weapons are capable of vast and far-reaching destruction.
Yield Comparison: The atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki had yields of approximately 15 kilotons (Hiroshima) and 21 kilotons (Nagasaki) of TNT equivalent. Modern nuclear weapons, however, attain yields from a few kilotons up to tens of megatons. For example, the largest nuclear weapons ever tested, such as the Tsar Bomb of the Soviet Union, yielded about 50 megatons, which is approximately 3,000 times more powerful than the bomb that reached Hiroshima. Destruction and Blast Effects
Blast Radius: Modern 1-megaton is powerful enough to destroy several square miles. Its radius depends on the yield of the weapon and altitude of detonation. That turned into a meaning of immediate and complete annihilation around the spherical area of detonation, severe damage done at a greater distance.
Thermal Radiation: The high temperature of a nuclear explosion can result in serious burns and start fires, often over a considerable area. Such thermal radiations can ignite fires and destroy buildings miles away from the site of bomb blast. Radiation Effects
Initial Radiation: Much of the radiation, including gamma-rays and neutrons capable of inducing acute radiation sickness and death, is emitted within nuclear explosions. Obviously, this will be most intense right next to the blast.
Fallout: A nuclear bomb explosion may broadcast radioactivity to large areas depending on the prevailing wind patterns. The fallout can contaminate soil, water, and air, causing long-term damage to health from increased cancerous effects and resultant genetic damage. Impact on the Environment and Long-Term Effects
Nuclear winter:
The effect of a full-scale nuclear exchange could be such that temperatures suddenly drop globally, due to the quantity of soot and dust that prevent the sun’s rays from passing through; this phenomenon is popularly known as “nuclear winter.” Worldwide disruptions to ecosystems, agriculture, and food supplies will be the consequences.
Long Term Effects:
The long-term environmental impacts on the land and water, lasting radiation effects, and disruptions to human and ecological systems make for a grim scenario. Psychological Impact: The potential destruction on a largescale and long-term environmental damages are various psychological and geopolitical effects that add to the anxiety of the world at large and actually are an impetus toward arms control and disarmament measures.
It is, however, ironic that some of the powerful countries who aim to disarm nuclear weapons impose restrictions on other countries and deliver lectures on peace, although they are exponentially increasing arsenals and suppressing other countries with sanctions and other destruction methods in trade.
As of 2024, the countries that possess the largest nuclear arsenals include:
It is approximated that there are 5,400 nuclear warheads in the United States. The US has the largest number of warheads, with a large percentage in reserve or awaiting dismantlement.
Russia: approximately 5,500 nuclear warheads The total Russian stockpile is somewhat larger than that of the United States, although it holds far fewer warheads in reserve. China’s inventory is somewhere around 410 nuclear warheads. Nuclear arsenals have been growing in China, but it still has a much smaller stockpile than either the United States or Russia. France: Some 290 nuclear warheads represent a much more modest yet no less significant stature.
UK: 225 nuclear warheads—although small, comparative to the leading nuclear powers. Apart from these two, other nuclear powers are India, Pakistan, and North Korea; each of them maintains smaller arsenals. Arms control and further efforts at disarmament have been specially tailor-made to keep nuclear retainers from increasing, thereby lowering the overall number of weapons within the hands of states.
The Path to Disarmament:
Disarmament became a complicated and highly challenging task, yet is still feasible and very relevant to set such an objective in the world today. On the path to arms control, there are major considerations toward attaining disarmament, more specifically nuclear disarmament:
International Agreements
Treaties and frameworks: Present international treaties, among them the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, provide legal frameworks for actual disarmament. These treaties target non-proliferation, reduction of stockpiles, and elimination of nuclear weapons.
Verification and Compliance: Robust verification mechanisms would be needed to ensure that the disarmament agreements are adhered to fully. International organizations like IAEA have significant roles in monitoring compliance. Security: Most countries feel that possessing nuclear weapons is their necessary requirement for national security and deterrence. It is very important to address these security concerns so as to press for further disarmament. Confidence-building measures, strategic dialogues, and security assurances would reduce fears and gain confidence.Effective disarmament needs cooperation between nuclear-armed and non-nuclear states. Through diplomacy, negotiations, and multilateral forums, one herself can enable the means for discussion and reaching agreements.Historical agreements, like START and INF, have successfully reduced nuclear arsenals. Similar agreements must be negotiated and implemented in a continuing manner.There are several global initiatives and organizations oriented toward disarmament. For instance, there is the United Nations, Global Zero, and the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons. Such efforts work to shape international norms and assist in promoting disarmament. In summary, disarmament is an enormously difficult yet realistic and necessary objective. Progress involves cooperation between nations, verification, assuagement of security concerns, high political will, and public support. The current ongoing processes and the role of diplomacy play important functions to move toward a world with fewer, if not no nuclear weapons at all.
A vision For Future:
Let us work for a world with no instruments of destruction, under the gleam of love and peace for one and all. Let us dream about the prospect of a world free from the threats of weapons of mass destruction, in which science and technology serve solely to advance humanity. Let our collective aspiration be to bask in an era of peace, where innovation serves as a beacon of hope and progress, nurturing a harmonious and prosperous global community.
The author is a columnist based in Ganderbal.He can be reached at ehsaanamy133@gmail.com and x’s @peermohdamir
