Responsible Science

Security and disarmament

SGR produces a range of resources on the issue of 'security and disarmament'. This covers military technologies, arms control and disarmament (esp. nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction, ‘Missile Defense’, conventional weapons) - as well as alternative concepts of security, peace building and conflict prevention.

Scientists and engineers have a central role in the development of weapons and therefore share a special responsibilty to society. SGR's project work has investigated the extensive influence that the military has over science and technology.

Military greenhouse gas emissions: large, hidden, unaccountable

Dr Stuart Parkinson, SGR, describes how military activities are hidden within greenhouse gas emissions accounting. However, the available data still points to them being a major contributer to the climate crisis.

19 September 2025

Military spending surge is critical threat to climate

Spending on the world’s militaries is climbing rapidly. Dr Stuart Parkinson, SGR, summarises a major new report examining how this rise is affecting carbon emissions.

16 September 2025

Nuclear weapons: a beginner’s guide to the threats

Dr Philip Webber, SGR, summarises the key scientific and technological information on the current threat from nuclear weapons.

4 August 2025 (updated)

Military spending and military emissions: the hidden links

Hannah Huibregtsen, Leiden University, highlights the problems of under-reporting of military greenhouse gas emissions, as huge military spending targets are being agreed.

24 June 2025

UK nuclear weapons: from Vanguard to Dreadnought

Dr Philip Webber, SGR, summarises the latest situation with the UK's nuclear weapons programme, including technical problems, rising costs, and the heightened risks from nuclear confrontation.

27 February 2025

Gaza: how the West’s weapons are fuelling a catastrophe

Dr Philip Webber, SGR, updates earlier analysis of the considerable humanitarian impacts of the war in Gaza, including probable genocide. In particular, he summarises the role of the arms industries in the USA, UK, and elsewhere.

12 February 2025 (updated)

Civil and military nuclear programmes: will they be derailed by skills shortages?

Alasdair Beal takes a look at the UK nuclear industry – and finds that the proposed expansion has a workforce problem.

4 December 2024

Tackling global risks in the second Trump era

The return of Donald Trump to the US presidency undermines efforts to tackle urgent global risks such as climate change and the threat of nuclear war. Dr Stuart Parkinson, SGR, gives an overview of the problems and assesses how best to respond.

14 November 2024

Stop hobbling UN research on nuclear war impacts, scientists tell UK government

Scientists for Global Responsibility (SGR) today called upon the UK government to stop lobbying against a UN resolution to carry out new research on the potential impacts of nuclear war. The research would be the first UN study on this topic since the 1980s.

29 October 2024

Future War: Will it really be clean and green?

Dr Stuart Parkinson, SGR, summarises the flaws in recent military claims that new arms technologies will markedly reduce civilian casualties or environmental impacts.

10 September 2024

Issues: Security and disarmament