Issues: Security and disarmament

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.

Scorched_desert

Climate, war and nuclear weapons

Dr Stuart Parkinson, SGR, summarises the ways in which militaries and nuclear weapons can contribute to catastrophic climate change.

17 November 2023

 

 

Trident nuclear missile

Nuclear weapons: mythbusting

Dr Philip Webber, SGR, debunks many of the myths used to justify the continued development and deployment of nuclear weapons, both in the UK and globally.

9 November 2023

Aircraft carrier

UK military carbon emissions: assessing the latest data

Dr Stuart Parkinson, SGR, examines the latest data on the carbon emissions of the UK military - and reveals new insights on military claims that they are 'greening' their activities.

29 September 2023

 

BAE Systems Mantis

The military influence on UK science and technology

Dr Stuart Parkinson, SGR, outlines how military involvement in UK science and technology is increasing rapidly, and argues that more needs to be done to challenge this.

1 August 2023

 

Nuclear explosion

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.

20 July 2023 (updated)

Global military carbon graph

How big are global military carbon emissions?

Dr Stuart Parkinson, SGR, summarises the latest research on what is – and isn’t – known about the size of global military carbon emissions.

8 July 2023

Killer robots demo

UK universities and the further development of killer robots

A new report has uncovered the “disturbingly close” relationship between the military-industrial sector and UK higher education, especially in areas related to Autonomous Weapons Systems. Nico Edwards, Sussex University, summarises the findings.

6 June 2023

Fighter + flames

UK government carbon targets for military bases are very weak

In a new report, Dr Stuart Parkinson, SGR, argues that the government target for reducing overall carbon emissions at UK military bases is so weak it could be met without any action by the armed forces.

31 May 2023

Image of speakers

Military carbon emissions: what does the data say?

Dr Stuart Parkinson, SGR, summarises the available data on international military carbon emissions. He argues that, as military spending increases rapidly in the wake of the Ukraine war, these emissions are likely to rise as well.

29 May 2023

Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier

Eight reasons why UK military spending shouldn’t be increased

The UK government is considering increasing its military budget in the wake of the 2022 invasion of Ukraine by Russia. Dr Stuart Parkinson, SGR, outlines eight reasons why this budget should not be increased.

10 March 2023