The nuclear age, which began with the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, has left an indelible mark on the world, marked by over 2,000 nuclear explosions over the last eight decades. These events have shaped the course of history and continue to influence global politics, the environment, and the human condition. The following analysis provides an overview of the profound impact of the nuclear age.
The use of atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945 marked a turning point in world history. The ‘Little Boy’ was dropped on Hiroshima on August 6, and ‘Fat Man’ on Nagasaki on August 9. The immediate consequences were devastating, with hundreds of thousands killed. The long-term effects of radiation exposure led to a surge in cancers, birth defects, and other health problems. Today, the ‘Hibakusha,’ survivors of these attacks, continue to bear the physical and emotional scars.
The Soviet Union’s 1949 nuclear test marked the beginning of the Cold War arms race. The United Kingdom, France, and China subsequently developed their own nuclear capabilities.
The 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis brought the world to the brink of nuclear war, showing the peril these weapons posed. President John F. Kennedy stated how close the world came to nuclear destruction during this time.
Since 1945, over 2,000 nuclear tests have occurred worldwide. Many were atmospheric tests, which dispersed radioactive materials across the globe. The Marshall Islands, Kazakhstan, Algeria, and Australia are still dealing with the health consequences of these tests, including elevated cancer rates and genetic disorders. Dr. Arjun Makhijani of the Institute for Energy and Environmental Research has emphasized that atmospheric testing has been a public health risk.
India’s first nuclear test, ‘Smiling Buddha,’ was in 1974, and Pakistan followed with tests in 1998. These countries, along with others, have built substantial nuclear arsenals.
In 2025, nine nations possess approximately 12,300 nuclear weapons. Russia and the United States have the largest arsenals, followed by China, France, the United Kingdom, Pakistan, India, Israel, and North Korea.
In 2024, global spending on nuclear weapons reached $91.4 billion, as reported by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).
The ongoing war in Ukraine has seen open threats of nuclear use from Russia. China is expanding its nuclear arsenal at a rapid pace.
Nuclear tests have caused environmental damage, including a doubling of radioactive carbon-14 in the atmosphere. Experts warn that even a limited nuclear exchange could cause a nuclear winter. Compensation has been provided to those affected by nuclear testing, such as the Nevada Test Site ‘downwinders.’
Despite the existence of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), nuclear weapon modernization continues. The Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) emphasizes that nuclear disarmament is a moral responsibility. The Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) has not been signed by major nuclear powers. The arms race is ongoing.
Today, there is a convergence of growing nuclear stockpiles and advancements in artificial intelligence, increasing the risks of nuclear conflict. Global spending on nuclear weapons exceeds $100 billion. The integration of AI in nuclear weapons systems raises new concerns, and according to a report from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, it has the potential to escalate the risk of a nuclear war through errors or cyberattacks.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has called for total disarmament to eliminate the threat of nuclear destruction.
The Hibakusha of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, as well as the victims of the Marshall Islands, and global peace activists, highlight that humanity can never be fully safe as long as nuclear weapons exist. Beatrice Fihn from ICAN urges future generations to consider whether they wish to live under the shadow of nuclear weapons.
Complete nuclear disarmament faces several obstacles, but it is not impossible. It requires political will, stringent technical controls, transparency, and widespread public awareness. Until the most powerful nations lead this endeavor, the dream of a nuclear-free world will remain unfinished. Despite the challenges, millions of people, including scientists, leaders, and concerned citizens, continue to work towards this goal, and their collective effort may shape a safer future.