#OneFuture
BEYOND NUCLEAR WEAPONS
Ending the nuclear arms race.
Expanding arsenals, weapons more powerful than at any point in history, more states seeking nuclear deterrents. While global crises go underfunded, record sums are being spent on weapons that must never be used. Yet, public pressure has succeeded in reducing nuclear stockpiles before. It can again, if we act together.
#OneFuture
BEYOND NUCLEAR WEAPONS
Ending the nuclear arms race.
Expanding arsenals, weapons more powerful than at any point in history, more states seeking nuclear deterrents. While global crises go underfunded, record sums are being spent on weapons that must never be used. Yet, public pressure has succeeded in reducing nuclear stockpiles before. It can again, if we act together.
New arms race.
New risks for humanity.
This time, it's riskier, harder to control and more expensive than ever. At the heart of the renewed threat from nuclear weapons has been irresponsible leadership by the major nuclear powers. Almost all nuclear states are modernising, and in some cases expanding, their arsenals.
Expanding arsenals
More weapons mean more chances for accidents, miscalculations, or unauthorized launches.
Record spending
In 2023, the nine nuclear-armed states spent $10.8 billion (13.4%) more on their nuclear arsenals than the year before, a total of $91.4 billion, or $2,898 per second on nuclear weapons.
New AI and cyber vulnerabilities
Mean a single misjudgement could cost millions of lives. The more these arsenals grow, the thinner the margin for human error becomes.
Nuclear powers competing for supremacy in a multipolar world
- The U.S. is undertaking an extensive nuclear modernization program, projected to cost up to $1.5 trillion over 30 years, developing new intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) and submarines, bombers, and modernizing warheads and infrastructure.
- Russia is actively enhancing its nuclear capabilities, deploying new nuclear-armed or nuclear-capable weapon systems, part of a broader strategy to strengthen its nuclear deterrent.
- China appears to be undertaking a significant nuclear expansion, raising the prospect of a dangerous three-way arms race between US, Russia and China.
New states seeking their own nuclear deterrents leading to new regional escalations
- The acceleration of Iran's nuclear program has heightened regional and global tensions and was used as justification for Israeli and U.S. strikes, claimed to be targeting Iran's nuclear sites.
- Their uranium enrichment capacity raises concerns about a potential nuclear arms race in the Middle East, prompting neighbouring countries to consider developing or acquiring their own nuclear deterrents.
SPEAK OUT. CALL FOR CHANGE.
Leaders act when they know we care.
Public pressure and diplomatic engagement successfully reduced global nuclear stockpiles by 80% since the Cold War peak. Civil society forced dialogue, halted tests, and froze arms races. Every voice raised helps push decision-makers toward restraint, dialogue, and change.
