Nuclear winter, crop failures and fallout: What nuclear war would do to civilization

[marmar]

Nuclear winter, crop failures and fallout: What nuclear war would do to civilization
Food shortages, ozone depletion, exacerbated climate change — and a relatively unscathed Southern Hemisphere

By MATTHEW ROZSA
PUBLISHED MARCH 1, 2022 4:28PM


(Salon) At the time this article is being written, Russian President Vladimir Putin is escalating his invasion of Ukraine with no end in sight. Because Russia has nuclear weapons, experts agree that it is possible they will be used during the war — perhaps on a smaller scale, perhaps on a larger one, say, with a NATO country like the United States. As Putin becomes increasingly desperate to recreate the Russian empire and destroy the liberal world order, there is no telling what he might do to save face and salvage what remains of his geopolitical ambitions.

If that happened, what would that mean for the rest of the world? The answer is both complicated (it depends to an extent on where you live) and terrifyingly simple — it would be an apocalyptic scenario right out of the most dire Biblical prophecy or dystopian science fiction story.

And the conflict doesn't need to culminate in a literal world war to have an effect on your life.

Even a comparatively smaller nuclear conflict, such as one that "merely" incinerates a few cities, would instantly plunge the world's economy into chaos. Globalization has resulted in a worldwide web of supply chains that are extremely vulnerable to disruption — this is already being seen with COVID-19 and climate change — and any goods that linked to supply chains in affected areas would grind to a halt. That, however, would be the least of humanity's problems. As smoke from the destroyed areas rises into the atmosphere, the entire planet will soon be choked to its breaking point under a blanket of soot. The Sun will not be able to reach vital crops, leading to dire food shortages, and survivors will be left inhabiting a state of constant winter.

Hence the term "nuclear winter." ................(more)

https://www.salon.com/2022/03/01/nuclear-winter-crop-failures-and-fallout-what-nuclear-would-do-to-civilization/

[no_hypocrisy]

1. For decades, the assumption was a theory called MAD

Mutually Assured Destruction.

What wasn't calculated: a leader with no ethics, no conscience, with an agenda, no compassion for humanity.

[lapfog_1]

2. and, possibly, a fatal disease...

so absolutely no fear of consequences

[Hortensis]

5. Oh, that was always known to become possible. It wasn't

belief that all involved would always be sane and sensible that caused most gatherings I attended to break up with someone commenting something like, "That's if we're still here next week." This was to the usual nods and chuckles from people who agreed it was inevitable.

Not me, and I turned out to be right. So far.

[RussBLib]

3. nuclear winter might overcome my climate despair

sorry, grave humor

[applegrove]

4. Maybe a new generation should see "If You Love This Planet"

http://www.nfb.ca/film/if_you_love_this_planet/

[Kid Berwyn]

6. Should be read by everyone.

Especially the pols.