Nuclear War Impact Evaluated by United Nations Research Team

The United Nations (UN) has formed an expert panel to delve into the potential consequences of a nuclear war in the present day. Known as the "Independent Scientific Group on the Effects of a Nuclear War," the panel consists of 21 researchers from around the world, including two from Austrian institutions.

The panel's work is inspired by real-world events, such as the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945, which left around 140,000 and 74,000 people dead, respectively. These twin bombings marked the final blow to imperial Japan, leading to its surrender and the end of World War II.

The panel aims to paint a clear picture of the physical, societal, and ecological consequences of a potential nuclear war on a local, regional, and global scale. They will outline "climate and environmental effects, as well as the impact of radiation" on "public health, global socio-economic systems, and agriculture and ecosystems in the days, weeks, and decades following a nuclear war."

Peter Klimek, director of the Supply Chain Intelligence Institute Austria (ASCII) in Vienna, is one of the Austrian researchers involved in the panel. Klimek emphasized that the risks of nuclear conflicts are different today due to global supply chains and increased reliance on specific factories in certain regions.

The panel began its work on August 6th and 7th, 2023, coinciding with the 80th commemoration of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. The goal of the panel is to collect scientific facts about the potential consequences of a nuclear war and present a comprehensive analysis by 2027 to the UN General Assembly.

Meanwhile, the film "A House of Dynamite" by Kathryn Bigelow addresses the chilling topic of a nuclear missile strike. The film is considered a strong contender for the top prize at the 82nd Venice Film Festival.

It is crucial to raise awareness of the potential consequences of nuclear confrontation, and the panel aims to educate younger people and decision-makers about the disasters at Hiroshima, Nagasaki, and Chernobyl. The panel also aims to facilitate a more profound discussion and consult with experts from various sectors.

Among the 21 nations in the UN expert commission, the permanent members that are recognized nuclear-armed states include China, France, the United Kingdom, Russia, and the United States. Any other member countries are not directly considered nuclear-armed. The commission also includes experts from Austria, indicating international participation beyond Austria.

The APA - Austria Presse Agentur eG, the largest national news and press agency in Austria, based in Vienna and owned by Austrian daily newspapers and the ORF, will likely provide updates on the panel's findings as they become available. The panel's findings will be presented to the UN General Assembly by 2027.