The document discusses the potential environmental effects of a large-scale nuclear war, known as "nuclear winter." Studies in the late 20th century found that the burning of cities and infrastructure could release massive amounts of smoke and dust into the upper atmosphere. This debris would block sunlight for weeks or months, causing global temperatures to drop dramatically and potentially threatening the collapse of food chains and human civilization. The phenomenon gained scientific support, though some criticisms remained. Nations have pursued arms control treaties like START in part due to concerns about nuclear winter.

1. NUCLEAR WINTER
Extreme Weather
Brooke Callaghan

2. BACK GROUND
• Late 20th century
discoveries on
environmental
impact of a nuclear
war
• TTAPS study: Dust/
ash released from
burning of plastics
and fuels in a
nuclear war would
produce a “nuclear
winter”

3. NUCLEAR WINTER FORMATION
Nuclear explosions
Ash spread by winds all around earth in stratosphere
Sunlight blocked
Temperature drop
Dust/ ash released into atmosphere
Collapse of food chain
Destruction of
Human race

5. • 5,000 megatons of
nuclear bombs= 225
million tons of smoke
• Weeks to months of
sunlight blockage
• Temperatures -15 to -25
degrees

6. OZONE DESTRUCTION

7. WORLD REACTION TO THEORY
UN reported :“ The criticisms and objections that have been raised from time to time… do not
invalidate that a large-scale nuclear war would have a significant effect on global climate”

8. POLICY IMPLICATIONS/WAR PROTECTION
• INF
• START

9. VOLCANOES
• Potential cause of nuclear winter when a pole shift causes a buckling in earth’s
crust and volcanoes become hyperactive
• Sulfur-rich gas emitted would combine with water vapor to produce clouds of
sulfuric acid
• Sunlight would be absorbed and reflected off of acid droplets which would block
sunlight and reduce temperatures

10. WORKS CITED
"Possible Earth Events." Volcanoes & Nuclear Winter. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Oct. 2014. <http://www.timeline2012.net/prepare/possible-earth-events/
volcanoes>. Copy & Paste | Parenthetical
The Editors of Encyclopædia Britannica. "nuclear winter." Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica, n.d. Web. 28 Oct. 2014.
<http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/421885/nuclear-winter>. Copy & Paste | Parenthetical
"Top 10 Tips for Surviving a Nuclear Winter - Listverse." Listverse. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Oct. 2014. <http://listverse.com/2012/12/04/top-10-tips-for-
surviving-a-nuclear-winter/>. Copy & Paste | Parenthetical
http://climate.envsci.rutgers.edu/pdf/RobockAmbioNW.pdf