I just left the United Nations Headquarters in New York City, and I wanted to write you right away about a critical new effort to move us closer to a world without nuclear weapons.
Today, Global Zero’s high-level commission of military experts -- led by the former U.S. commander of nuclear forces General James Cartwright -- urgently called for the U.S. and Russia to stand down their nuclear weapons.
Right now, hundreds of U.S.-Russian nuclear weapons are locked and loaded, ready to launch at a moment’s notice. Let me be clear: These weapons pose a clear and present danger to human life, public health, the environment, and the global economy. Only a short burst of computer signals stands between us and disaster.
As international tensions rise, the risk that these weapons will be used also rises. We are right on the brink.
That’s why our entire international movement is mobilizing to urge the U.S. and Russia to abandon the dangerous Cold War-era practice of keeping nuclear weapons on hair-trigger alert. Will you show your support?
We have a plan. The first step is for the U.S. and Russia to immediately end their so-called “launch-on-warning” policies -- which could send hundreds of nuclear missiles flying in response to a false alarm. The second step is for the U.S. and Russia to reach an emergency agreement to take their massive nuclear arsenals off high alert. The third is to lock in international commitments that would prevent ALL nuclear weapons from being placed on hair-trigger alert ANYWHERE -- stopping this dangerous trend from spreading to other nuclear-armed countries.
This plan will reduce the real and rising risk of nuclear weapons being used -- and get the world back on track to a nuclear weapons-free future.
Today, I’m asking you to stand with me and Global Zero. Let’s send a strong, unified message to stand down these arsenals, before it’s too late.
Do you agree that nuclear weapons should be taken off hair-trigger alert?
