Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists
LightNews LightNews
banner
thebulletin.org
Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists
@thebulletin.org
9.7K followers 88 following 710 posts
The best thinking on existential threats since 1945. Nuclear risk, climate change, and disruptive technologies. We set the #DoomsdayClock. thebulletin.org
Posts Media Videos Starter Packs
Pinned
thebulletin.org
Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists @thebulletin.org · 1d
What would happen if Chicago were the target of a nuclear bomb?

Jeffrey Lewis @armscontrolwonk.bsky.social spoke to the Bulletin about what people should know about nuclear weapons—from basic terminology, to which nations have them, and what could occur when they're used.
What you should know about nuclear weapons
On October 29th, Donald Trump announced on his social media site, Truth Social, that he had instructed the Department of War (formerly the Department of Defense) to “start testing our Nuclear Weapons…
youtu.be
3 15 22
thebulletin.org
Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists @thebulletin.org · 17h
From the "Ice Age waltz" to the "fast greenhouse tango," Earth's ever-fluctuating climate "now follows our lead," write Benjamin Santer and David W.J. Thompson of @uniofeastanglia.bsky.social.

It's dangerous to normalize aberrations in the climate record, they continue, just as it is for politics.
The comforting but dangerous fantasy of ‘normal’ climatic and political aberrations
"We can’t let mature science be drowned out by the wacky argument that a snowball on the floor of the US Senate invalidates the existence of human-caused climate change."
thebulletin.org
1 5 7
thebulletin.org
Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists @thebulletin.org · 1d
Interview and video by Bulletin multimedia editor @erik-english.bsky.social.
3
thebulletin.org
Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists @thebulletin.org · 1d
What would happen if Chicago were the target of a nuclear bomb?

Jeffrey Lewis @armscontrolwonk.bsky.social spoke to the Bulletin about what people should know about nuclear weapons—from basic terminology, to which nations have them, and what could occur when they're used.
What you should know about nuclear weapons
On October 29th, Donald Trump announced on his social media site, Truth Social, that he had instructed the Department of War (formerly the Department of Defense) to “start testing our Nuclear Weapons…
youtu.be
3 15 22
thebulletin.org
Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists @thebulletin.org · 1d
Today, after more than a decade, global climate negotiations return to Latin America.

María de los Ángeles Orfila writes that COP30 "represents a political test for the region: Can Latin America this time speak with a more united and recognizable voice in global climate governance?"
Can Latin America find common ground at COP30?
Although Latin America contributes only about 10 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, many of its territories rank among the most climate-vulnerable on the planet.
thebulletin.org
3 12
thebulletin.org
Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists @thebulletin.org · 1d
"We're definitely seeing an expansion of conditions ripe for tropical storms and hurricanes," says meteorologist and Bulletin contributor @johnmoralestv.bsky.social in a discussion on Hurricane Melissa and climate change with @katiephang.bsky.social. ⬇️
Expert SOUNDS ALARM as DEADLY STORMS SPIRAL Out Of CONTROL
Extreme weather events like Hurricane Melissa “take lives and ruin lives.” Meteorologist, John Morales joins Katie Phang for a sobering conversation about climate change & how Mother Nature is coming…
www.youtube.com
7 21
thebulletin.org
Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists @thebulletin.org · 2d
In case you missed it: last week, the Bulletin hosted three nuclear and military tech experts to break down 'A House of Dynamite' and answer viewer's questions about what happened in the film.

You can watch the full discussion on our YouTube channel. ⬇️
Experts React: Netflix’s 'A House of Dynamite'
A nuclear missile is headed towards the United States in 'A House of Dynamite', Netflix’s new movie from director Kathryn Bigelow. Tension builds as leaders from different branches of the military and government realize the gravity of the moment and react both as officials with a duty, and as humans faced with the unthinkable.
youtube.com
4 15
thebulletin.org
Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists @thebulletin.org · 4d
A recently declassified document from nearly 50 years ago reinforces concerns about the proliferation potential of small modular reactors that require fuels using high-assay, low-enriched uranium, writes Edwin Lyman @nucsafetyucs.bsky.social of @ucs.org.
Declassified cable reinforces proliferation concerns about high-assay low-enriched uranium fuel
The declassified document reveals an urgent need for an international review of the proliferation risks of HALEU.
thebulletin.org
8 19
thebulletin.org
Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists @thebulletin.org · 4d
Bulletin nuclear affairs editor François Diaz-Maurin @francoisdm.bsky.social spoke to Mediapart @mediapart.fr about Donald Trump's announcement regarding a possible return to American nuclear weapons tests. ⬇️
3 8
thebulletin.org
Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists @thebulletin.org · 5d
Today at 11:30 AM CST / 12:30 PM EST, join the Bulletin for an expert discussion unpacking "A House of Dynamite."

Watch below. ⬇️
Experts React: Netflix’s 'A House of Dynamite'
A nuclear missile is headed towards the United States in 'A House of Dynamite', Netflix’s new movie from director Kathryn Bigelow. Tension builds as leaders ...
youtube.com
9 16
Reposted by Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists
gabrielairosa.bsky.social
Gabriela I. Rosa @gabrielairosa.bsky.social · 5d
@dexeve.bsky.social and I wrote this piece a while ago for
@bulletinatomic.bsky.social. In it, we propose interpreting the Russia-Belarusian nuclear sharing agreement along with Minsk's behavior surrounding it as a tool for the political survival of the Lukashenko regime. 1/?
1 4 3
thebulletin.org
Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists @thebulletin.org · 5d
Belarus's nuclear sharing arrangement with the Kremlin makes it far more difficult for Minsk to act independently, write @gabrielairosa.bsky.social and @dexeve.bsky.social.

"The 'Zapad' exercise and how Lukashenko learned to love the Bomb." ⬇️
The 'Zapad' exercise and how Lukashenko learned to love the Bomb
Despite being highly anticipated, the sudden change in public rhetoric about this year's Zapad strategic military exercise suggests that the Russia-Belarus relationship may be more complicated than…
thebulletin.org
2 9
thebulletin.org
Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists @thebulletin.org · 6d
Tomorrow at 11:30 AM CST / 12:30 PM EST, join the Bulletin for an expert discussion unpacking "A House of Dynamite"—what was real, what was exaggerated, and what would happen next.

Register for free below. ⬇️
Experts React: Netflix's A House of Dynamite
On November 6, join the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists for an expert discussion on Netflix's A House of Dynamite movie, including US capacity to defend against a direct nuclear strike, arms…
pages.thebulletin.org
1 5 17
thebulletin.org
Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists @thebulletin.org · 7d
When it comes to building a future with zero carbon emissions, "Real world solutions exist now and are easily scalable with the right investments and priorities. The obstacles aren't technological. They're political."

— @michaelemann.bsky.social
You can’t reboot the planet if you crash it
What Gates is putting forward aren’t legitimate arguments that can be made in good faith. They are shopworn fossil fuel industry talking points.
thebulletin.org
23 50
thebulletin.org
Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists @thebulletin.org · 7d
This Bulletin magazine article is available to all readers for a limited time.
2
thebulletin.org
Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists @thebulletin.org · 7d
United States and Russian activity represents 17.6% of global greenhouse gas emissions, write members of the @ponarseurasia.bsky.social Task Force on Russia in a Changing Climate. Their self-interested approach to climate change will make it harder to raise adaptation funding for other nations.
The climate consequences of the US-Russia global realignment
Trump and Putin have both expressed support for better ties between the US and Russia. Despite obvious different interests in some areas, the two both want to promote the oil and gas sector—and will…
thebulletin.org
1 9 13
Reposted by Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists
patriciajaworek.bsky.social
Patricia Jaworek @patriciajaworek.bsky.social · 8d
The ending of A House of Dynamite leaves many questions unanswered, intentionally. In reality, we won’t have that luxury.

My colleague Isabelle Williams and I pick up where the movie ends, exploring what would unfold in the minutes, hours, and months after the missile hits Chicago.
1 12 26
thebulletin.org
Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists @thebulletin.org · 7d
Get a direct line to the topics that inform the Doomsday Clock

Sign up for our newsletter today.
Get our newsletter! ⁠— Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists
Sign up for emails and receive a direct line to the best thinking on nuclear risk, climate change, and disruptive technologies.
thebulletin.org
2 8
thebulletin.org
Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists @thebulletin.org · 8d
Rebecka Green of @ploughshares.bsky.social watched over 20 films about nuclear weapons in one month, which taught her "several valuable lessons. For example, firing up Threads at 10:00 AM on a Tuesday morning can remind a person about the importance of a well-rounded, but not too heavy, breakfast."
Box office bombs: What I learned watching 20 nuclear films in a month
The quandaries posed by the nuclear film pantheon are the same ones experts in the nuclear threat reduction community face daily.
thebulletin.org
3 5 23
thebulletin.org
Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists @thebulletin.org · 8d
Assuming that the missile in 'A House of Dynamite' carried a several-hundred-kiloton nuclear warhead and detonated directly above Chicago's Loop, what would follow?

@patriciajaworek.bsky.social and Isabelle Williams of @nti.org explain. ⬇️
The “House of Dynamite” sequel you didn’t know you needed
Assuming that the missile in "A House of Dynamite" carried a several-hundred-kiloton nuclear warhead and detonated directly above Chicago’s Loop, what would ensue in the seconds, minutes, days, and…
thebulletin.org
3 7 27
thebulletin.org
Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists @thebulletin.org · 10d
North Korea has turned deception into strategy, weaponizing ambiguity to mask nuclear progress. Its success reveals how bureaucratic inertia within United States intelligence creates blind spots, writes Lauren Cho. ⬇️
How North Korea outsmarts US intelligence agencies—and what they should do to adapt
North Korea has turned deception into strategy, weaponizing ambiguity to mask nuclear progress. Its success reveals how bureaucratic inertia within US intelligence creates blind spots.
thebulletin.org
1 5 12
Reposted by Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists
michaelemann.bsky.social
Michael E. Mann @michaelemann.bsky.social · 11d
An excerpt from my new piece for @thebulletin.org on Bill Gates' new climate missive:
For years when I would criticize Gates for what I consider to be his misguided take on climate, colleagues would say, “you just don’t understand what Gates is saying!” Now, with Donald Trump and the right-wing Murdoch media machine (the Wall Street Journal editorial board and now an op-ed by none other than Lomborg himself in the New York Post) celebrating Gates’ new missive, I can confidently turn around and say, “No, you didn’t understand what he was saying.”
6 110 260
thebulletin.org
Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists @thebulletin.org · 11d
"Here's the thing, Bill Gates: There is no 'patch' for the climate crisis. And there is no way to reboot the planet if you crash it. The only safe and reliable way out when you find yourself in a climate hole is to stop digging—and burning—fossil fuels."
— @michaelemann.bsky.social
You can’t reboot the planet if you crash it
What Gates is putting forward aren’t legitimate arguments that can be made in good faith. They are shopworn fossil fuel industry talking points.
thebulletin.org
2 39 96
thebulletin.org
Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists @thebulletin.org · 11d
⬆️ "In addition to unsettling decades of cooperation between the United States and its European allies, a geopolitical rapprochement between two of the world’s largest carbon emitters will have significant consequences for the global effort to stabilize the climate—both for better and for worse."
1 2
thebulletin.org
Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists @thebulletin.org · 11d
Authors include: Robert Orttung, Debra Javeline, Graeme Robertson, Richard Arnold, Andrew Barnes, Edward Holland, Mikhail Troitskiy, Judyth Twigg, and Susanne Wengle.
1 1
thebulletin.org
Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists @thebulletin.org · 11d
"The climate consequences of the US-Russia global realignment," by members of the @ponarseurasia.bsky.social Task Force on Russia in a Changing Climate.

This Bulletin magazine article is available to all readers for a limited time. ⬇️
The climate consequences of the US-Russia global realignment
Trump and Putin have both expressed support for better ties between the US and Russia. Despite obvious different interests in some areas, the two both want to promote the oil and gas sector—and will…
thebulletin.org
2 2 8