November 11, 2020
Thirty-five scientists from various countries including the U.S., the U.K., France, and Russia on November 9 held an online press conference and released an appeal calling on leaders of the nuclear-weapons states to participate in the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW).
Japanese scientists promoting this appeal are: Inagaki Tomohiro (Pugwash Japan representative, Hiroshima University professor), Kurita Yoshiko (Science Council of Japan member, Chiba University professor), Konuma Michiji (Keio University professor emeritus), Sawada Shoji (Japan Council against A and H Bombs representative director, Nagoya University professor emeritus), Suzuki Tatsujiro (Japan Pugwash acting president, Nagasaki University professor), Tanaka Terumi (Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bombs Sufferers' Organizations representative member, physicist of magnetic materials), and Matsuda Masahisa (Doho University president).
Regarding "climate change and nuclear catastrophe" as "two existential risks threatening life on earth", the appeal warns of the possibility of an unexpected nuclear catastrophe caused deliberately or by accident. The appeal criticizes the U.S., Russia, China, and Israel for refueling the nuclear arms race.
According to the appeal, although "the financial, industrial, and scientific resources necessary to combat climate change exist" in the world, many of these resources have been disbursed "especially for the nuclear arms race and militarization of space". The appeal calls on the world's "scientists to be aware of their responsibility for the future". It also calls on nuclear recipient countries as well as all nuclear-weapons states to ratify the TPNW so that those resources can be directed to fight against climate chaos".
The scientists drew up this appeal on October 24 when the entry into force of the TPNW was decided to be slated for January 22, 2021, and announced the appeal on the sideline of the UN-designated World Science Day for Peace and Development (Nov.10).
2017 Novel laureate in chemistry Jacques Dubochet, Lausanne University professor emeritus, in the online news conference asked for cooperation in dealing with "coronavirus countermeasures, establishment of a nuclear-free and peaceful world, and environmental protection".
Japanese scientists promoting this appeal are: Inagaki Tomohiro (Pugwash Japan representative, Hiroshima University professor), Kurita Yoshiko (Science Council of Japan member, Chiba University professor), Konuma Michiji (Keio University professor emeritus), Sawada Shoji (Japan Council against A and H Bombs representative director, Nagoya University professor emeritus), Suzuki Tatsujiro (Japan Pugwash acting president, Nagasaki University professor), Tanaka Terumi (Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bombs Sufferers' Organizations representative member, physicist of magnetic materials), and Matsuda Masahisa (Doho University president).
Regarding "climate change and nuclear catastrophe" as "two existential risks threatening life on earth", the appeal warns of the possibility of an unexpected nuclear catastrophe caused deliberately or by accident. The appeal criticizes the U.S., Russia, China, and Israel for refueling the nuclear arms race.
According to the appeal, although "the financial, industrial, and scientific resources necessary to combat climate change exist" in the world, many of these resources have been disbursed "especially for the nuclear arms race and militarization of space". The appeal calls on the world's "scientists to be aware of their responsibility for the future". It also calls on nuclear recipient countries as well as all nuclear-weapons states to ratify the TPNW so that those resources can be directed to fight against climate chaos".
The scientists drew up this appeal on October 24 when the entry into force of the TPNW was decided to be slated for January 22, 2021, and announced the appeal on the sideline of the UN-designated World Science Day for Peace and Development (Nov.10).
2017 Novel laureate in chemistry Jacques Dubochet, Lausanne University professor emeritus, in the online news conference asked for cooperation in dealing with "coronavirus countermeasures, establishment of a nuclear-free and peaceful world, and environmental protection".
