A new study has revealed that in addition to radiation damage, an atomic war would also release soot particles into the atmosphere, which would have a significant impact on agriculture. The research, conducted by Lili Xia and Alan Robock from Rutgers University, examined the effects of these particles on global food production in the event of a local atomic war. The study found that even a small-scale atomic war, with 100 bombs each with a yield of 15,000 tons, would result in the deaths of 27 million people and cause hunger in 255 million more. In the case of a global atomic war, with 4,400 bombs each with a yield of 100,000 tons, food production in many countries would decrease by 99%, leading to the deaths of over five billion people.
The study, published in the journal Nature Food, highlights the devastating impact of atomic war on global food production. While previous research has focused on the effects of radiation, this study shows that soot particles released into the atmosphere would also have a significant impact on agriculture. The researchers simulated the effects of different atomic war scenarios on food production over the next ten years, finding that even a small-scale atomic war would have catastrophic consequences for global food security.
The study’s authors emphasize the need to prevent atomic war from ever happening, given the devastating impact it would have on global food production and the lives of billions of people. The research underscores the importance of international efforts to prevent nuclear proliferation and promote disarmament, as well as the need for continued research into the potential consequences of atomic war.
