Peace – where we are now

At the height of the Cold War in the 1960s it seemed almost inevitable that a terrifying nuclear arms race would spread to all corners of the globe, threatening the future of humanity. That’s why the international community got together and agreed to ban nuclear weapons.

Fifty years on, almost all nations reject the need for nuclear weapons. Today only nine countries still possess them – in clear contravention of international law.

 

Greenpeace believes that only by cutting our nuclear addiction can we place nuclear materials under strong controls – and ensure they don’t get into the hands of terrorists and dictators.

Spending endless billions on nuclear missiles is a costly diversion from tackling the real challenges we face today – replacing Britain’s aging Trident system will cost at least £97bn. And what do we gain? Bombs capable of flattening continents clearly can’t deter suicide bombers, deal with cyber-terrorism or prevent civil wars.

It also diverts us away from dealing with our real security needs – the need for clean and accessible energy, water, and food. And ensuring we tackle the greatest security threat of all – climate change.

Today we have a real chance for change – with President Obama leading the charge for a world free of nuclear weapons on the international stage, the opportunity for real progress is brighter than anytime since the end of the Cold War.

The tired old myths about nuclear weapons are now being challenged. And people are realising that those few countries that are clinging onto nuclear arms are making the future more dangerous – for both their own citizens and the rest of the planet.

More and more security experts and senior military figures now agree that a nuclear weapons free world is both achievable and essential. And experts are producing detailed roadmaps to show how we can get there.

Most importantly the world’s biggest super-power – global public opinion – is on our side.