In late 1939, Albert Einstein and Leo Szilard, two world-renowned physicists, brought to light a new technology that could change the act of war: nuclear fission. Scientists now had the ability to split an atom’s nucleus and trigger an extremely destructive explosion. President Franklin D. Roosevelt, hesitant at first, agreed to the creation of The Manhattan Project with the goal of harnessing the newly found power source and developing a nuclear weapon. The United States had finally entered the global nuclear arms race, but many still had their reservations. Joseph Rotblat, a physicist that left The Manhattan Project and Nobel Peace Prize winner for his efforts for nuclear disarmament, was one of them. He cautioned all of humanity against
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In a study done by Richard Turco and Alan Robock, UCLA professors, they predicted environmental effects of a detonation of 50 15-kiloton bombs, only 0.03% of the world’s arsenal (Jha). Massive amounts of soot would be launched into the atmosphere, causing a climate change much worse than anything ever recorded, therefore, creating a “Nuclear Winter”. The term “Nuclear Winter” originates from the belief a large number of small nuclear explosions or one severe nuclear explosion would have enough soot to create a black carbon rain that would block out the sun, causing a severe temperature drop of 1°C for the first year, then a 1.5°C drop annually for the next five years (O’Callaghan). After the temperature fall, it would take at least 20 years to be within 0.5°C of our current temperature. A decrease in temperature and sunlight does not only mean a colder environment, but it can lead to other disastrous effects on crops as …show more content…
Flash burns, caused by the heat emitted and radiation, were among the most common injuries seen immediately following the explosion. Some were even severe enough to completely char the skin to a dark brown or black, leading to an almost immediate death (Clancey). Those farther away from the explosion may only experience burns on specific parts of their body depending on the thickness of the clothing. When the burns healed doctors observed a formation of excess scar tissue, known as a keloid, and limited mobility in joints, mainly the knee and elbows.
In a study done by Richard Turco and Alan Robock, UCLA professors, they predicted environmental effects of a detonation of 50 15-kiloton bombs, only 0.03% of the world’s arsenal (Jha). Massive amounts of soot would be launched into the atmosphere, causing a climate change much worse than anything ever recorded, therefore, creating a “Nuclear Winter”. The term “Nuclear Winter” originates from the belief a large number of small nuclear explosions or one severe nuclear explosion would have enough soot to create a black carbon rain that would block out the sun, causing a severe temperature drop of 1°C for the first year, then a 1.5°C drop annually for the next five years (O’Callaghan). After the temperature fall, it would take at least 20 years to be within 0.5°C of our current temperature. A decrease in temperature and sunlight does not only mean a colder environment, but it can lead to other disastrous effects on crops as …show more content…
Flash burns, caused by the heat emitted and radiation, were among the most common injuries seen immediately following the explosion. Some were even severe enough to completely char the skin to a dark brown or black, leading to an almost immediate death (Clancey). Those farther away from the explosion may only experience burns on specific parts of their body depending on the thickness of the clothing. When the burns healed doctors observed a formation of excess scar tissue, known as a keloid, and limited mobility in joints, mainly the knee and elbows.