IPPNW statement on how WHO could advance the planetary health imperative to eradicate nuclear weapons
IPPNW was pleased to have the opportunity for the first time to make a statement to the World Health Organization Western Pacific Region Committee on how WHO could advance the planetary health imperative to eradicate nuclear weapons.
Statement to WHO WPRO Regional Committee Meeting, Oct 2021 by International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War (IPPNW)
Presented by Tilman Ruff, Co-President 18 Oct 21
The WHA’s response to WHO’s first 1983 report on “The effects of nuclear war on health and health services” concluded that: “nuclear weapons constitute the greatest immediate threat to the health and welfare of [hu]mankind.” The second 1987 report underscored that: “It is obvious that the health services in the world could not alleviate the situation in any significant way” and “Therefore the only approach to the treatment of health effects of nuclear warfare is primary prevention, that is, the prevention of nuclear war.” It discussed then new scientific findings that after nuclear war, global cooling would create unprecedented famine and disease epidemics.
Read more…Passing the torch
Joint statement of Russian Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War and Physicians for Social Responsibility-USA
National affiliates of International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War (IPPNW)
To the Health Professionals of the World,
We write as Russian and American physicians – young and old – to describe the passing of the torch of our four-decade international effort to protect the life and health of humanity. The creation of nuclear weapons has resulted in a permanent threat to civilization that will require management by all future generations. Our meeting today of new and senior physician-activists, in Moscow and in Boston, is an essential component of our duty to train each new generation of health professionals.
Read more…Why is US military spending increasing to new, outlandish levels?
Although critics of the Biden administration’s Build Back Better plan to increase funding for US education, healthcare, and action against climate catastrophe say the United States can’t afford it, there are no such qualms about ramping up funding for the US military.
This May, the Pentagon asked Congress to fund a $715 billion budget for Fiscal 2022—an increase of $10 billion over the previous year. Together with another $38 billion requested for military-related programs at other government agencies, this would bring total US military spending to $753 billion.
Read more…Nuclear power has no place in a healthy, sustainable future
IPPNW statement for COP26 UN Climate Change Conference 2021
[The following statement has been signed by IPPNW’s co-presidents on behalf of the Executive Committee.]
The goal of this year’s COP26 UN climate change conference is clear: “The world needs to halve emissions over the next decade and reach net zero carbon emissions by the middle of the century if we are to limit global temperature rises to 1.5 degrees.” Yet the trajectory of greenhouse gas emissions is still upward. UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ Our Common Agenda report to the UN General Assembly last month makes clear: “humanity faces a stark and urgent choice: a breakdown or a breakthrough. … The choice is ours to make; but we will not have this chance again.”
It is crunch time for humanity. We have already entered an era of escalating impacts from global overheating. We need to lower greenhouse gas emissions now.
Imagine a world with US-China cooperation
On September 10, 2021, during an important diplomatic meeting that occurred by telephone, US President Joseph Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping affirmed the necessity of a better relationship between their two nations. According to the official Chinese summary, Xi said that “when China and the United States cooperate, the two countries and the world will benefit; when China and the United States are in confrontation, the two countries and the world will suffer.” He added: “Getting the relationship right is . . . something we must do and must do well.”
At the moment, however, the governments of the two nations seem far from a cooperative relationship. Indeed, intensely suspicious of one another, the United States and China are increasing their military spending, developing new nuclear weapons, engaging in heated quarrels over territorial issues, and sharpening their economic competition. Disputes over the status of Taiwan and the South China Sea are particularly likely flashpoints for war.
Read more…The fate of Cassandra: dire predictions go unheeded
In ancient Greek mythology, Cassandra was a priestess who was able to predict the future but unable to convince others to act upon her prophecies.
The fate of Cassandra seems particularly relevant today, for there has been ample warning about three developments that threaten continued human existence—preparations for nuclear war, climate change, and disease pandemics—without, however, adequate measures being taken to safeguard human survival.
Ever since the atomic bombing of Japan in 1945, prophetic voices have warned of doom if the world does not ban nuclear weapons. And yet, the nine nuclear powers are currently engaged in a new nuclear arms race to build ever faster, more devastating weapons that, if used, will annihilate nearly all life on earth.
Read more…Bold action needed on nuclear weapons
An open letter from local, county, and state officials to President Joe Biden and the US Congress
[The following letter to US President Joe Biden and Members of the US Congress was signed by more than 300 local elected officials from 41 states in the US. The complete list of signatories, including mayors, state legislators, city council members, and others, will be found on the PDF of the letter, which was organized by the Back From the Brink campaign.]
September 23, 2021
President Joseph R. Biden, Jr.
The White House
Washington, DC
Members of Congress
Washington, DC
Dear President Biden and Members of Congress:
We join together to urge bold action and U.S. leadership in the pursuit of global, verifiable nuclear
disarmament and concrete policy steps to reduce and eliminate the severe danger nuclear
weapons pose to each and every one of our constituents – and all of humanity.
Proposed US/UK nuclear-powered submarines for Australia: jeopardising health and fueling an arms race
Summary of joint statement by IPPNW and its affiliates in Australia, UK and US
Health professionals in Australia, the UK and the US have expressed their deep concerns at Australia’s proposed acquisition of nuclear-powered submarines with UK and US assistance, stating that the plan will jeopardise global health and security. Their concerns are set out in a briefing paper.
Read more…Global health summer school encourages hands-on learning about medical peace work
by Victor Chelashow, IPPNW International Student Representative, Kenya
The 10th Annual Global Health Summer School (GHSS) was hosted by IPPNW Germany, Medical Peace Work, and Institute for Social Medicine, Epidemiology and Social Sciences at Charite University. It commenced on 24 July 2021 and ran for a week, with the focus on “Climate Change and Health.” I was invited to participate and present on medical peace work courses and the practical approach we take at the Medical Students for Social Responsibility in Kenya.
Read more…Nuclear sharing must end in Europe
[On September 5, IPPNW regional Vice President Angelika Claussen spoke at a demonstration at the Büchel nuclear base in Germany, where 800 activists formed a human chain to call for the removal of the 20 US nuclear bombs that are stored there.]
by Angelika Claussen
From a peace and security policy perspective, the year 2021 has been particularly marked by two events:
1. The entry into force of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in January 2021 and
2. The defeat of the USA as a world power in Afghanistan.
The entry into force of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons is a huge success story of the worldwide peace movement! The peace movement is a real success story. We, global civil society, in alliance with the countries of the global South and courageous, outstanding politicians from countries in Europe, from Austria and from Ireland, have achieved a nuclear ban. We expected resistance from the nuclear weapons states, as the TPNW is diametrically opposed to their interests!
Now it’s Europe’s turn! Nuclear sharing must end in Europe: in Germany, in Belgium, in the Netherlands and in Italy. We can also achieve this goal together if we are clever in our approach.
The first step is to call NATO’s nuclear dogma, the dogma of nuclear deterrence, into question.
Read more…
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IPPNW peace and health blog 