As scientists, we understand the dangers of nuclear weapons and their devastating effects, and we are learning how human activities and technologies are affecting climate systems in ways that may forever change life on Earth. As citizens of the world, we have a duty to alert the public to the unnecessary risks that we live with every day, and to the perils we foresee if governments and societies do not take action now to render nuclear weapons obsolete and to prevent further climate change... There's a realization that we are changing our climate for the worse. That would have catastrophic effects. Although the threat is not as dire as that of nuclear weapons right now, in the long term we are looking at a serious threat.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Scientists have a duty to warn the public about existential threats like nuclear weapons and climate change before they become irreversible.
- In plain terms
- Experts should tell the public about dangers to the world.
- What can you take from it?
- Scientists must warn society about long term existential risks.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What makes society ignore clear warnings from experts?
Another view
Warnings may be ignored if they feel too distant or abstract.
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