Worldwide Effects of Nuclear War

This report presents discoveries, theories, and hypotheses current in 1975, concerning the possible global effects of a nuclear war. It has a number of purposes including balancing some of the fear-induced speculations of the time (the elimination of all life on the planet, and the creation of genetic monsters) with scientific knowledge, the effects on countries not under direct attack, and a discussion of unexpected consequences. Most of the information is presented in non-technical language, and will give the reader a good understanding of this difficult and critical subject.

• Foreword
• Introduction
• The Mechanics of Nuclear Explosions
• Radioactive Fallout
• • A. Local Fallout
  • B. Worldwide Effects of Fallout
• Alterations of the Global Environment
• • A. High Altitude Dust
  • B. Ozone
• Some Conclusions
• Note 1: Nuclear Weapons Yield
• Note 2: Nuclear Weapons Design
• Note 3: Radioactivity
• Note 4: Nuclear Half-Life
• Note 5: Oxygen, Ozone and Ultraviolet Radiation

The survivors would envy the dead.