Activist education and expert speakers empowering communities to oppose war and oppression globally

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Toolbox: Nuclear War and Nuclear Weapons

Safety

Organizers should plan to keep their attendees safe. This document can help you do that: Hosting a safe Teach-in

Primer

This 6-Page primer includes the basics about nuclear war and nuclear weapons. Share a link to this document or print it for your group. Available here

Presentation slides

Mix-and-match presentation slides as you see fit. Not every slide or presentation works for every group. Cater the presentation to what is most useful to your group, club, or organization.

(instructions: Open the slides below and click File -> Make a Copy -> Entire Presentation to customize your own presentations.)

Primer on Nuclear War and Nuclear Weapons

Videos

Resources

Social media accounts

These organizational accounts are useful for staying in-the-know on what’s actually happening in the world of activism and nonviolent protest.

Articles

These articles are useful for kicking off conversations.

Nuclear Winter Is Climate Change In Fast-Forward | Progressive Hub
A “limited” nuclear war could trigger a nuclear winter, causing global cooling, massive agricultural collapse, and the starvation of billions, while a full-scale nuclear war would be even more catastrophic. At the same time, climate change exacerbates tensions between nuclear-armed nations, increasing the risk of nuclear conflict. Activists are urged to address both issues, as nuclear winter represents a rapid and devastating escalation of the climate crisis.

Why Is There More Media Talk About Using Nuclear Weapons Than About Banning Them? | FAIR.org
The Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) is a critical international agreement aiming to eliminate nuclear weapons, yet it has been largely ignored by media outlets. Adopted by 122 nations in 2017 and in force since 2021, the treaty offers a path toward a nuclear-free world, but nuclear-armed states, including the U.S., Russia, and China, have refused to participate. Despite increasing public concern over nuclear threats, media coverage rarely mentions the treaty, limiting public awareness and advocacy. Peace organizations emphasize the need for media attention to promote the TPNW and highlight the pressing danger of nuclear conflict, as well as the possibility of global disarmament.

The conflicted history of Israel, Lebanon, and Hezbollah, explained | Vox
Israel’s recent invasion of Lebanon stems from decades of conflict rooted in the displacement of Palestinian refugees and the rise of Hezbollah, a powerful militant group aligned with Iran. While Israel seeks to weaken Hezbollah and protect its northern border, its actions—including widespread bombings and displacement of Lebanese civilians—have intensified hostility and destabilized the region further. Historically, Israeli interventions have often backfired, fueling new adversaries and deepening animosity, with the current conflict showing little sign of resolution.

 

Expert Speakers

Access to expert speakers on Gaza, Israel, and the Middle East for your teach-in

See our full list of Expert Speakers here.

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christian appy

Christian Appy

Nuclear War; nonviolent activism

Professor of History and Director of the Ellsberg Initiative for Peace and Democracy, University of Massachusetts Amherst

emma claire foley

Emma Claire Foley

Nuclear War

Nuclear weapons policy expert, writer and filmmaker who has spent her career working for nuclear disarmament campaigns. Her commentaries have been featured in Newsweek, NBC, the Guardian and other international news outlets.

Peter Kuznick

Peter Kuznick

Nuclear War; Nonviolent activism

Professor of History and Director of the Nuclear Studies Institute, American University

Cynthia Lazaroff

Cynthia Lazaroff

NUCLEAR WAR

Founder, Women Transforming Our Nuclear Legacy and NuclearWakeUpCall.Earth

norman solomon

Norman Solomon

Gaza, Israel, and the Middle East; Nonviolent Activism; Nuclear War

National director of RootsAction.org and executive director of the Institute for Public Accuracy. Author of over a dozen books including 2023’s War Made Invisible: How America Hides the Human Toll of Its Military Machine, with a new afterword about the war on Gaza.

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