Beyond the precipice: a new nuclear paradigm for surviving the Anthropocene

Abstract

Humanity’s survival is at increasing risk of a global catastrophic nuclear event because the dominant strategy for preventing the use of nuclear weapons has not adapted to today’s threats. This talk explores pathways to a better, safer nuclear future, one where humanity’s existence and flourishing no longer hangs in the balance, and one that relies on an effective system for managing nuclear technology into the long future – a new nuclear paradigm — that can’t cause a civilizational catastrophe if it fails. Finally, it makes the case for why the EA community should prioritize reducing global catastrophic nuclear risks and describes how it can contribute to safeguarding the long-term future.