[SGRupdate] Threat of accidental global nuclear war could be growing, say scientists

[Scientists for Global Responsibility]

SGR Press Release

Threat of accidental global nuclear war could be growing, say scientists

In the wake of the Russia-Georgia conflict, a group of scientists and
engineers has warned that increased tensions between Russia and the USA
could increase the danger of accidental global nuclear war.

In an article in the latest edition of the Scientists for Global
Responsibility (SGR) Newsletter, Steven Starr describes the continuing
threat posed by thousands of US and Russian nuclear weapons maintained on
"high alert" - able to be launched within minutes of an order being given.
He discusses the possibility of accidental launches and describes the
devastating consequences for the world should these ever happen - based on
the latest environmental assessments of "nuclear winter" using advanced
climate models.

Executive Director of SGR, Dr Stuart Parkinson, said "Increased
international tensions in the wake of both the Russia-Georgia conflict and
the US Missile Defence deals should remind us that the threat of accidental
(or deliberate) nuclear war has not gone away. Efforts in pursuit of global
nuclear disarmament need to redoubled, and a good start would be for the US
and Russia to immediately remove all nuclear weapons from "high-alert"
status."

This new edition of the SGR Newsletter also includes articles on the
potential for a Nuclear Weapons Convention, the militarisation of UK
universities, UK action on climate change (including that on energy
efficiency and renewable energy), nuclear waste management, and the new
Defence Training Academy in Wales.

ENDS

Notes

1. Scientists for Global Responsibility is an independent UK-based
organisation of ethically-concerned science, design and technology
professionals, founded in 1992 - see: http://www.sgr.org.uk/

2. Steven Starr is a senior scientist with Physicians for Social
Responsibility, USA.

3. The full contents list for Scientists for Global Responsibility
Newsletter, no.36 (Autumn 2008) is:

* High-alert nuclear weapons: the forgotten danger
Steven Starr argues that the continued maintenance of US and Russian
nuclear weapons on high alert means that the threat of accidental (or
deliberate) global nuclear war has not gone away.

* Behind closed doors - military influence at UK universities
Dr Chris Langley summarises SGR's latest research on military influence at
UK universities, highlighting a range of serious concerns and making
recommendations for reform.

* UK climate strategy - are we making progress?
Dr Stuart Parkinson examines the UK's record on reducing greenhouse gas
emissions, arguing that official figures hide a lack of progress and
highlighting the key reforms that need to be made.

* New campaign to achieve global nuclear disarmament
Alison Whyte introduces a new global campaign for a Nuclear Weapons
Convention, and discusses some hopeful signs of progress.

* The St Athan Defence Training Academy: the future of British education?
Dr Stuart Tannock discusses the disturbing implications of the Ministry of
Defence's new multibillion pound training academy.

* Out of their depth? Uncertainties in nuclear waste management
Dr Rachel Western argues that the nuclear industry and the UK government
are not properly considering the scientific evidence in their rush to
"solve" the problem of radioactive waste.

* Reducing carbon emissions from housing
Kate Macintosh MBE outlines the environmental standards for new housing in
the UK and argues that the bigger problems related to the quality of the
existing housing stock are being neglected.

* Expanding renewable energy in the UK
Dave Andrews CEng and Martin Quick CEng give two perspectives on the
potential for expanding the deployment of variable or intermittent
renewable energy in the UK. In the first article - "Variable renewables and
the base load issue" - Andrews argues that the disadvantages of these types
of technologies are much less than detractors claim while, in the second
article - "Innovating to exploit variable renewables" - Quick outlines some
innovative ways of expanding their deployment.

SGR news

* A few words from the Director
Executive Director, Dr Stuart Parkinson, argues that increased
international tensions following the Russia-Georgia conflict have increased
the risk of accidental nuclear war, and highlighted the urgent need for
progress on global nuclear disarmament.

* New project on corporate influence on R&D begins

* Updates on advocacy work on nuclear weapons, militarisation of science &
technology, climate change, cleaner energy, emerging technologies and
ethical careers

4. Copies of SGR Newsletter, No. 36, are available price £3.50 plus p&p.
(Free copies are available to members and associate members of SGR.) For
more info, see http://www.sgr.org.uk/newsletter.html