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.

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Time to reinvigorate global nuclear disarmament

After President Obama's landmark visit to Hiroshima, we need concrete action on disarmament, argues Dr Philip Webber, SGR.

ResponsibleSci blog, 27 May 2016

SGR response to Labour Defence Review

Scientists for Global Responsibility has submitted a response to the Labour Party's Defence Review. As in our response to recent government reviews, we argued that the UK needs to place much more emphasis on the use of scientific and technical resources for tackling the root causes of conflict, including climate change and economic inequality, rather than prioritising the development, deployment, use and export of yet more weapons technologies. We especially criticise the UK's continued deployment of nuclear weapons, and plans for a new system.

28 April 2016
 

World War I Howitzer

The industrialisation of war: lessons from World War I

Dr Stuart Parkinson, SGR, examines how technological innovation contributed to one of
the most devastating wars in human history – and asks what lessons we should take from this.

Article from SGR Newsletter no.44; online publication: 5 April 2016

RAF Tornado

A new phase for ‘offensive insecurity’?

Dr Stuart Parkinson, SGR, gives an overview of the UK’s new military and security strategies, and highlights the increasing focus on militarism.

Article from SGR Newsletter no.44; online publication: 7 March 2016

Trident missile

Trident, Deterrence and UK Security

Dr Philip Webber, SGR, summarises the flaws in the theory and practice of nuclear deterrence for the UK.

Article from SGR Newsletter no.44; advance online publication: 14 January 2016

RAF Tornado

UK Military-Industrial Interests and Climate Change

Dr Stuart Parkinson, SGR, argues that UK science and technology resources are being prioritised for military activities at the expense of those needed to tackle climate change.

Presentation at the People's Climate Summit, Paris

Online publication: 17 December 2015

Scorched desert image

A climate of insecurity

Dr Stuart Parkinson, SGR, critically examines the UK’s latest policies on climate change and security in the context of the Paris climate negotiations – and argues for a major change in direction.

ResponsibleSci blog, 27 November 2015

Trident submarine

135 reasons not to replace Trident

Dr Philip Webber, SGR, reports on important UN discussions, ignored by the UK media, which are critical for the upcoming decision on the replacement of Britain’s Trident nuclear weapon system.

ResponsibleSci blog, 20 November 2015

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Nuclear weapons and climate catastrophe

Dr Philip Webber, SGR, summarises the latest scientific research showing how nuclear weapons could cause catastrophic global cooling - also known as 'nuclear winter' or 'nuclear famine'.

Presentation at SGR conference; online publication: 4 November 2015

Refuelling fighters

Demilitarization for Deep Decarbonization

Tamara Lorincz, International Peace Bureau, discusses the twin problems of carbon pollution due to military activities and the priority given by governments to funding their militaries over tackling climate change.

Presentation at SGR conference; online publication: 4 November 2015