Council for a Livable World

Political action to reduce nuclear threats

  • Elections
    • Senate Candidates
    • House Candidates
    • Political Analysis
    • Who We’ve Helped Elect
  • Legislation
    • Key National Security Legislation
    • National Security Legislative Calendar
    • Legislative Analysis
    • Legislative Achievements
  • Take Action
    • Issues
    • Join Our Email List
    • Become a Member
  • About
    • Staff
    • Press
    • Newsletter
    • Boards & Experts
    • Jobs & Internships
    • Financials and Annual Reports
    • Contact Us
  • Donate
  • Search
You are here: Home / Press Room / Council in the News / Colorado Springs — and the world — grapple with nuclear threats of the 21st century

May 4, 2022

Colorado Springs — and the world — grapple with nuclear threats of the 21st century

Political Director Geoff Wilson was featured in the Colorado Springs Independent, discussing the nuclear threat to Colorado Springs, the nuclear implications of the crisis in Ukraine, and the dangers of increased defense spending.

“The idea that the world’s nuclear superpowers would be standing off against each other? I think many Americans thought that would be beyond the pale. And many would be surprised that we still maintain thousands of nuclear weapons ourselves,” Wilson says.

…

While NATO isn’t obligated to defend Ukraine, so far Wilson’s been impressed with the alliance coming together to rally international support and sanction Russia, which he says shows there are other tools at our disposal — Wilson pushes back hard against the idea that the only way for the U.S. to show strength is to “go bomb something.” But he still worries that Americans have forgotten the “rules of the nuclear game,” and he views discussions of a no-fly zone as a disastrous development.

…

For Wilson, cutting defense spending is crucial to de-escalating risk. He recalls a time when America led the way in arms reduction, and George H.W. Bush essentially wiped out tactical nuclear weapons — meaning weapons below a deterrence level, meant to support conventional military missions. The new boom in defense spending worries him, as he recalls Cold War-era nuclear depth charges, mines and artillery shells.

…

“This is the terrifying truth: Once nuclear weapons have been used, there is no real way to ensure anyone survives that. A ‘regional’ nuclear war in India and Pakistan could lead to the deaths of more than a billion people worldwide, due to starvation and problems with crops. … The only way to ensure any of us are safe from nuclear weapons is to ensure they are never used in the first place, and can’t escalate that far,” Wilson says.

“There are two existential threats facing humanity. One is climate change, the other is nuclear weapons. One could eventually lead to the downfall of humanity, one could do it in 30 minutes,” Wilson says. Read more

Posted in: Council in the News, Press Room

Tweets by Livable World

Recent Posts

  • Statement on the Passing of Former Congresswoman Patricia Schroeder March 15, 2023
  • House Elections: Democratic and Republican Target Seats March 13, 2023
  • An early look at the 2024 House elections March 7, 2023
  • An early glimpse at 2024 Senate elections February 21, 2023
  • Press the Button: The Clock is Ticking February 14, 2023
Council for a Livable World logo

820 1st Street NE, Suite LL-180
Washington, D.C. 20002
Phone: 202.543.4100

Elections

  • Meet The Candidates
  • Senate Candidates
  • House Candidates
  • Who We’ve Helped Elect

Legislation

  • Key National Security Legislation
  • National Security Legislative Calendar
  • Legislative Achievements

Take Action

  • Issues
  • Join Our Email List
  • Become a Member

About

  • History & Mission
  • Staff
  • Press
  • Newsletter
  • Boards & Experts
  • Jobs & Internships
  • Financials and Annual Reports
  • Contact Us
  • Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Instagram
  • Facebook

© 2023 Council for a Livable World
Privacy Policy