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About

From Poacher to Gamekeeper…
 

I spent most of my working life in the nuclear industry. But I’m now with CND (Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament). What made me switch sides? The horrific truths of the atom bombs dropped on Japan and the deadly risks we all face today.

How could I not have known these things after years in the industry? No doubt a mixture of things, but it made me think that maybe most people don’t know either.

So the aim of this blog is to help fill that knowledge gap a little. I hope you find it useful.

(For a quick intro see the video below or the nuke factsheet and faq.)

About

From Poacher to Gamekeeper…
 

I spent most of my working life in the nuclear industry. But I’m now with CND (Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament). What made me switch sides? The horrific truths of the atom bombs dropped on Japan and the deadly risks we all face today.

How could I not have known these things after years in the industry? No doubt a mixture of things, but it made me think that maybe most people don’t know either.

So the aim of this blog is to help fill that knowledge gap a little. I hope you find it useful.

(For a quick intro see the video below or the nuke factsheet and faq.)

Past

Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it – George Santayana
 

Atom bombs fell on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945. Most of the victims were civilians. Many died a lingering and tortuous death. Survivors also suffered, even today. No education is complete without a knowledge of these two terrible events.

Hiroshima

To mark 60 years since the Hiroshima bombing, the BBC produced the film 'Hiroshima'. It includes first-hand accounts from Japanese survivors and the US bomber crew. Here are a few short clips from the film (rated 12, contains some distressing images).

Sadako Sasaki

Sadako Sasaki was two years old when the bomb fell on Hiroshima. She was blown out of a window but had no outward injuries. But ten years later she got leukaemia because of the radiation from the bomb. This video tells her story, and how her fight for recovery inspired the world to make origami peace cranes.

Hibakusha

The atom bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki killed many thousands of people in seconds. But for most it was a slow and painful death, stretched out over months and years. But some survived; the 'Hibakusha'. Their message to the world today is peace and disarmament.

Past

Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it – George Santayana
 

Atom bombs fell on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945. Most of the victims were civilians. Many died a lingering and tortuous death. Survivors also suffered, even today. No education is complete without a knowledge of these two terrible events.

Hiroshima

To mark 60 years since the Hiroshima bombing, the BBC produced the film 'Hiroshima'. It includes first-hand accounts from Japanese survivors and the US bomber crew. Here are a few short clips from the film (rated 12, contains some distressing images).

Sadako Sasaki

Sadako Sasaki was two years old when the bomb fell on Hiroshima. She was blown out of a window but had no outward injuries. But ten years later she got leukaemia because of the radiation from the bomb. This video tells her story, and how her fight for recovery inspired the world to make origami peace cranes.

Hibakusha

The atom bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki killed many thousands of people in seconds. But for most it was a slow and painful death, stretched out over months and years. But some survived; the 'Hibakusha'. Their message to the world today is peace and disarmament.

Present Dangers

I know not with what weapons WW3 will be fought, but WW4 will be fought with sticks and stones – Albert Einstein
 

Although the Cold War has ended, the risk of nuclear war has not. In fact some experts think the risks are higher today, because more countries have nukes. A mishap, miscalculation or madness could one day be the trigger.

Mishaps

The US and Russia have thousands of nukes facing each other on hair-trigger alert. Every second we face the unseen threat of nuclear war. Here are 10 times we came too close for comfort.

Miscalculation

A conflict between any nuclear-armed state could quickly spiral out of control. Former US Defence Secretary William Perry describes one such scenario.

Madness

Could terrorists get hold of a nuclear bomb? Some experts think it’s not only possible, but probable. Former US Defence Secretary William Perry describes his greatest fear.

Present Dangers

I know not with what weapons WW3 will be fought, but WW4 will be fought with sticks and stones – Albert Einstein
 

Although the Cold War has ended, the risk of nuclear war has not. In fact some experts think the risks are higher today, because more countries have nukes. A mishap, miscalculation or madness could one day be the trigger.

Mishaps

The US and Russia have thousands of nukes facing each other on hair-trigger alert. Every second we face the unseen threat of nuclear war. Here are 10 times we came too close for comfort.

Miscalculation

A conflict between any nuclear-armed state could quickly spiral out of control. Former US Defence Secretary William Perry describes one such scenario.

Madness

Could terrorists get hold of a nuclear bomb? Some experts think it’s not only possible, but probable. Former US Defence Secretary William Perry describes his greatest fear.

Future

The best way to predict your future is to create it – Abraham Lincoln
 

No-one has a crystal ball. But it is worth thinking about worst/best case scenarios. Why? To work out how to avoid the one and achieve the other.

War?

A nuclear war anywhere in the world would affect everyone in the world. The smoke and dust released into the air would block out sunlight. Crops would fail, and many people would starve. Just 100 nukes are enough to do this (the world has 14,000).

Peace?

On 7 July 2017 the United Nations agreed a treaty to ban nukes. But none of the nine countries with nukes signed. Many people still think this treaty is the best chance for a world without nukes.

Future

The best way to predict your future is to create it – Abraham Lincoln
 

No-one has a crystal ball. But it is worth thinking about worst/best case scenarios. Why? To work out how to avoid the one and achieve the other.

War?

A nuclear war anywhere in the world would affect everyone in the world. The smoke and dust released into the air would block out sunlight. Crops would fail, and many people would starve. Just 100 nukes are enough to do this (the world has 14,000).

Peace?

On 7 July 2017 the United Nations agreed a treaty to ban nukes. But none of the nine countries with nukes signed. Many people still think this treaty is the best chance for a world without nukes.

Gallery

 
The world's fist nuclear bomb, called the Trinity test, exploding in New Mexoco USA on 16 July 1945.
Child's tricycle recovered after the Hiroshima bomb, on display at the Hiroshima Peace Museum

Woman crawling in the ruins of Nagasaki
Frozen planet earth as viewed from space


Gallery

 
The world's fist nuclear bomb, called the Trinity test, exploding in New Mexoco USA on 16 July 1945.

Child's tricycle recovered after the Hiroshima bomb, on display at the Hiroshima Peace Museum

Woman crawling in the ruins of Nagasaki

Frozen planet earth as viewed from space


Action

Our problems are man-made, therefore they may be solved by man – John F Kennedy
 

Three simple steps that will make a difference:

  • Join CND or ICAN, or sign up to their newsletter.
  • Invite a free CND speaker to your group.
  • Write a letter to your newspaper or MP.

And of course, feel free to subscribe below! I’ve got some great topics lined up for future blogs.

Action

Our problems are man-made, therefore they may be solved by man – John F Kennedy
 

Three simple steps that will make a difference:

  • Join CND or ICAN, or sign up to their newsletter.
  • Invite a free CND speaker to your group.
  • Write a letter to your newspaper or MP.

And of course, feel free to subscribe below! I’ve got some great topics lined up for future blogs.

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