Cataclysmic Events and Extinction-Level Threats

by Union of Concerned Scientists 

In this piece from the Union of Concerned Scientists, the group presents potential solutions for the problem of nuclear weapons and their usage. Currently, there are close to 9,000 nuclear weapons across the world, but the UCS believes that through the institutionalization of proper policies and safeguards the threat of nuclear war can be managed. These proposed solutions are:

• The elimination of the “first-use” policy which allows the United States to retaliate to a non-nuclear attack with nuclear force.
• The removal of sole authority behind the decision to launch a nuke, instead having other officials must make a collective decision instead of only the President making the decision.
• De-alerting missiles, or removing the immediate and precise detection systems, that through a malfunction could launch an accidental nuke.
• Spending less on nuclear arms because it only incentivizes Russia to spend more on nuclear bombs.
• Establishing agreements and treaties and the creation of more legislation to disarm or reduce arms could mitigate the risk of a nuclear war.

This article highlights potential ways that nuclear war could be avoided; however, it does not go into detail on how each potential solution could be implemented just as it should be. Some of these proposed solutions have real-world examples like the extension of the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty or the multiple agreements between the United States and Russia to reduce arms. 

The Union of Concerned Scientists is a United States-based organization created and funded by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology with the goal of using science to solve the problems facing our planet. 

Union of Concerned Scientists. (2023). Nuclear Weapons Solutions. https://www.ucsusa.org/nuclear-weapons/solutions#:~:text=International%20agreements-,The%20only%20way%20to%20completely%20eliminate%20nuclear%20risks%20is,nuclear%20weapons%20from%20the%20planet.&text=Roughly%209%2C000%20nuclear%20weapons%20are,of%20submarines%20across%20the%20world.

GANEWATTA, M. S., RAHMAN, M. A., & TANG, C.

This research uses two methods to develop new and effective antimicrobial agents with low toxicity to the human body. 1) The usage of resin acids to make cationic polymers with tunable amphiphilicity to selectively target bacterial membranes and 2) creating synthetic cationic metallopolymers (metal-containing polymers) that could be conjugated with traditional antibiotics against multidrug-resistant bacteria. The testing of the antimicrobials formed by natural resin acids resulted in the solution having antibacterial, antibiofilm, and biocompatible properties. The antimicrobials formed by metallopolymers resulted in a new class of antimicrobial agents that can be used against superbugs by reducing bacterial cells and forming ion pairs with the metallopolymers that protect against various strains of bacteria by selectively damaging bacterial cell membranes. Metallopolymer hydrogels were also able to disrupt the negatively charged cell walls of bacteria. The hydrogels were also able to impede some stains of bacteria’s ability to grow and were even able to absorb antibiotics from contaminated water. 

Dr. Mitra Ganewatta is the lead development chemist at Ingevity Corporation. He specializes in polymer chemistry and antimicrobials. 

Ganewatta, M. S., Rahman, M. A., & Tang, C. (2017). Emerging Antimicrobial Research against Superbugs: Perspectives from a Polymer Laboratory. Journal of the South Carolina Academy of Science, 15(1), 3. https://scholarcommons.sc.edu/jscas/vol15/iss1/3

SHIVAPRAKASH, K.N., SEN, S., PAUL, S., K

Scientists at the Nature Conservatory conducted a research study that found that the trafficking of wild animals is a key cause of the spread of zoonotic diseases. 75% of pandemics are spread from only 25% of mammal species, and human contact with mammals increases the risk of spreading infectious diseases that turn into global pandemics. Their continued research aims to pinpoint the exact animals that spread the most infectious diseases to aid in the hindrance of the spread of future zoonoses. This study finds that interaction with primates and even-toed ungulates increases the risk of spreading dangerous diseases at an increased rate. 

The Nature Conservatory is a non-profit organization whose focus includes land and water conservation. The organization employs scientists to perform research and gain knowledge on issues regarding wildlife and the Earth. The agency also works in several countries and directly with the governments of these countries. 

Shivaprakash, K.N., Sen, S., Paul, S., Kiesecker, J.M., Bawa, K.S. (2021, July 7).  Wildlife trade a key risk factor in the global spread of infectious disease. The Nature Conservancy. https://www.nature.org/en-us/newsroom/tnc-wildlife-trade-pandemics-analysis/