Leo Szilard Lectureship Award: The Growing Danger of Nuclear Weapons and What Physicists Can Do About It

The immense risks nuclear weapons pose to all humanity are still very much with us. The destructive power in the thousands of nuclear weapons still in existence threaten human civilization as we know it. In fact, trends indicate the risks are acute and growing: hard-won arms control agreements are being abandoned, nuclear weapons-possessing states are spending enormous resources to refurbish existing nuclear weapons and to develop new types of strategic weapons, and nuclear-armed nations continue to be drawn closer to direct conflict. Many communities continue to bear the damaging health effects of nuclear weapons testing and production. Physicists have historically constructively engaged policymakers and their communities to help reduce nuclear dangers. Leo Szilard took this role very seriously and pioneered innovative ways to make policy change and work toward a safer world. This talk will set the context of the current nuclear crisis and discuss effective ways that physicists today can get involved in mitigating nuclear risks and creating a healthier and safer future.