If you survived a nuclear explosion, what would happen to you next?

Any nuclear conflict would have a range of devastating consequences, from initial deaths in direct explosions to the lingering effects of radiation and environmental pollution.

According to a new study published in the journal Nature Food, the number of casualties on the spot, no matter how large, is nothing compared to the consequences of the number of deaths from the global famine that will follow, which is the main cause. is a rising amount of black smog that will block sunlight, disrupt the climate system and the ability to produce food.

Scientists at Rutgers University, USA, have warned of the consequences that come with six nuclear war scenarios.

Climate scientists at Rutgers University, USA, have proposed six nuclear war scenarios and their accompanying consequences.

The worst-case scenario is an all-out nuclear war breaking out between the US and Russia. As a result, more than five billion people will starve to death in the next two years. Even a small-scale conflict between India and Pakistan could lead to hunger around the world.

Black dust from explosions will disrupt the climate system

In a nuclear war, bombs targeting cities and industrial areas will cause firestorms that cause large amounts of black dust to be released into the upper atmosphere and potentially spread globally.

They (smoke and dust) become a "shield" from sunlight and rapidly cool our planet.

As a result, the Earth's climate will be disrupted, affecting the food production system. Using tools to forecast and estimate the yields of major crops in each country, the scientists analyzed each nuclear conflict scenario at each level of black dust covering the sky, with temperatures falling from 1 to 16 degrees Celsius.

Even a small conflict between India and Pakistan could reduce crop yields by 7% over five years of conflict. According to the Federation of American Scientists, both countries possess nuclear arsenals of about the same size, and of the nine countries with nuclear weapons, these two are among the few that are developing nuclear weapons. increase stockpiles of nuclear warheads.

And if a full-blown nuclear war were to occur between Russia and the United States, which together account for 90% of the world's nuclear stockpile, crop yields would drop by 90% within three to four years of the date of delivery. painting.

Listen to science

The researchers also considered mitigating factors such as using crops for livestock to switch to human food or saving food in the household, but the conclusions are still complementary measures. This supplement did not prevent the world from experiencing hunger, especially after large-scale conflicts.

Crop production declines will be most severe in countries located in the middle to high latitudes, including major exporting countries such as Russia and the United States. This not only reduces exports, but also severely disrupts African and Middle Eastern countries, which are heavily dependent on food imports.

The team said they will continue to find more specific effects, for example, the ozone layer will be destroyed by the warming of the stratosphere, causing ultraviolet radiation to have more impact on the Earth's surface. and it will certainly affect the food supply.

"If nuclear weapons exist, they can be used, and many times the world has come close to the risk of nuclear war. Prohibition of nuclear weapons is the only long-term solution. best.

The five-year United Nations Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons has been ratified by 66 countries, but nine of them do not possess nuclear weapons.

The work that we're doing clearly shows that it's time for these nine countries to listen to the science and listen to the rest of the world and sign this treaty," said Professor Alan Robock, expert in the field of science and technology. climate scientist and co-author of the study.