Mini-Guide: How to Have a Dialogue About the Nuclear Weapons Ban
Confident conversations for a nuclear weapons-free future
Why Talk About This?
Nuclear weapons threaten all of humanity. Breaking the silence and having conversations is the first step toward change. This guide helps you discuss the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) with confidence.
Starting the Conversation
Opening Lines
"Have you heard about the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons?"
"I learned something surprising about nuclear weapons recently..."
"What do you think about nuclear disarmament?"
"Did you know there are still over 12,200 nuclear weapons in the world?"
Listen First
Ask open-ended questions
Understand their perspective before sharing facts
Acknowledge concerns without judgment
Common Questions & How to Respond
"Don't nuclear weapons keep us safe?"
The Reality: No. Nuclear-armed states have been involved in more wars (Korea, Vietnam, Afghanistan, Falklands, Iraq) than non-nuclear states. Nuclear weapons create mistrust and increase tensions. The war in Ukraine shows that nuclear arsenals don't prevent conflicts—they make them more dangerous.
Key Point: Nuclear weapons don't protect—they endanger everyone regardless of which "side" you're on.
"What about NATO and nuclear deterrence?"
The Reality: NATO membership is a separate question from whether nuclear weapons make us safer. The fundamental issue is: do nuclear weapons actually protect anyone—regardless of which alliance they're in?
Consider the evidence:
Nuclear-armed states have been in MORE conflicts, not fewer (Korea, Vietnam, Afghanistan, Falklands, Iraq)
The Ukraine war shows nuclear weapons don't prevent wars—they make them more dangerous for everyone
All nuclear-armed nations face the same existential risks: accidents, miscalculation, cyber-attacks, unauthorized use
For Sweden specifically:
Sweden sought NATO membership for conventional security cooperation
Nuclear weapons stationed anywhere in Europe make ALL Europeans targets
A nuclear exchange between Russia and NATO would devastate Sweden regardless of our alliance status—fallout doesn't respect borders
Key Point: Whether you support NATO membership or not, nuclear weapons create risk for everyone. We can have collective security without nuclear weapons that threaten human civilization. The question isn't "which side has nukes"—it's "can we be secure without them?"
"Isn't this just a political issue for certain groups?"
The Reality: No. Three Nobel Peace Prizes have been awarded for nuclear disarmament work, showing this transcends politics. From scientists to military generals, from doctors to faith leaders, people across the entire political spectrum recognize the catastrophic threat.
Key Point: As the Russell-Einstein Manifesto said: "We appeal as human beings to human beings: Remember your humanity, and forget the rest."
"What about AI and nuclear weapons?"
The Reality: This is one of the most urgent new concerns. In a nuclear crisis, leaders have only 5-30 minutes to decide whether to launch. AI can process data in seconds, but humans need minutes to understand context.
US, UK, France say "humans will always decide"
China refuses to make this commitment
Russia already has semi-automated systems
Key Point: Self-driving cars still get into accidents. What is the "training data" for nuclear war? When the stakes are civilization itself, we cannot delegate decisions to machines.
"Don't modern nuclear weapons produce less dangerous radiation?"
The Reality: This is a dangerous misconception from military propaganda. The truth:
ALL nuclear explosions produce massive initial radiation and long-term fallout
Modern weapons are often LARGER, producing more total radiation despite being "efficient"
Even "small" tactical nukes match or exceed Hiroshima's power
The neutron bomb was specifically designed to MAXIMIZE radiation while reducing blast
Key Point: There is no such thing as a "clean" or "safe" nuclear weapon.
"Which countries have nuclear weapons?"
The Facts: Nine countries possess approximately 12,200 nuclear weapons:
Russia and USA (nearly 90% of all weapons)
China, France, UK, India, Pakistan, North Korea, Israel
Additionally, about 100 US nuclear weapons are stationed in 5 NATO countries (Belgium, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Turkey), with an additional 25-30 in the UK since July 2025
Key Point: About 2,100 weapons remain on "high alert"—ready to launch within minutes.
"Can we respond to a nuclear disaster?"
The Reality: No. International conferences have proven that no country, organization, or alliance has the capacity to respond to a nuclear explosion—and such capacity cannot be developed.
Why?
Medical systems would be overwhelmed or destroyed
Infrastructure (power, water, communications) would collapse
Radiation makes rescue operations impossible
Scale exceeds all emergency planning
Long-term environmental contamination
Key Point: Prevention is the only realistic option. Once nuclear weapons are used, there is no adequate response.
"How powerful are modern nuclear weapons?"
Understanding the Scale:
Hiroshima (1945): 15 kilotons
Immediate deaths: 70,000+
Total deaths by end of year: 140,000
City completely destroyed
Modern Reality:
One W88 warhead = 455 kilotons (~30 Hiroshimas)
One Trident submarine = 1,920 Hiroshimas worth of destructive power
Russia's RS-28 Sarmat missile can carry 10-15 warheads, each 750 kilotons
What this means: A single modern nuclear submarine carries more destructive power than all the bombs dropped in World War II—combined and multiplied many times over.
"What would happen if nuclear weapons were used today?"
Even a 'Limited' Nuclear War Would Be Catastrophic:
A regional nuclear exchange (just 100 weapons between India and Pakistan):
2 billion people would face famine due to "nuclear winter"
Global temperatures would drop
Crops would fail worldwide
This affects everyone, not just the combatant nations
Full-Scale Nuclear War:
Civilization as we know it would end
Most major cities destroyed
Billions would die from immediate effects, radiation, starvation
Survivors would face a devastated planet
Key Point: In the words of survivors: "Nuclear war is not a problem that can be solved. It's a problem that must be prevented."
"Hasn't the nuclear threat decreased since the Cold War?"
The Reality: No—it's actually increasing:
~12,200 nuclear weapons still exist (enough to destroy civilization many times over)
All nuclear-armed states are modernizing their arsenals
Over $100 billion spent annually on nuclear weapons (more than WHO + UN Climate Fund combined)
New risks: cyberattacks, AI integration, more countries involved
Political tensions rising between nuclear powers
Key Point: We're closer to nuclear conflict now than at many points during the Cold War.
"What is the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW)?"
The Facts:
Adopted by the UN in 2017, entered into force in 2021
Makes nuclear weapons illegal under international law
70+ countries have signed or ratified it
Similar to successful treaties banning landmines and chemical weapons
What It Does:
Prohibits development, testing, production, and possession of nuclear weapons
Prohibits threatening to use nuclear weapons
Requires environmental remediation and victim assistance
Creates a pathway for nuclear-armed states to join
Key Point: The TPNW has been adopted by 122 countries. Change happens when people like us speak up.
Handling Difficult Moments
If They Say: "I don't want to think about it" Your Response: "I understand—it's overwhelming. But ignoring it doesn't make us safer. Even small actions matter."
If They Dismiss It: "This is unrealistic" Your Response: "Many things seemed unrealistic before they happened—ending apartheid, banning landmines, giving women the vote. Change starts with conversation."
If They're Fearful: "This is too scary" Your Response: "That's exactly why we need to talk about it. Fear without action is paralyzing. But when we act together, we have power to change things."
Moving from Dialogue to Action
Concrete Next Steps You Can Suggest:
1. Learn & Share
Request workshops at schools or universities (educational workshops available for students and teachers)
Share information with friends, family, and colleagues
Break the silence around nuclear weapons
2. Make Your Voice Heard
Write to your Member of Parliament (MP) or local authority
Urge them to support the TPNW
Demand Sweden returns to its leadership role on nuclear disarmament
Template letters available at endnuclearweapons.org
3. Follow the Money
Check if your bank invests in nuclear weapons manufacturers
Review your pension fund holdings
Switch to ethical investment options
Ask your bank: "Are you funding nuclear weapons?"
Use resources from "Don't Bank on the Bomb" (PAX project with ICAN)
4. Join the Movement
Follow: @nuclearban (ICAN), @PugwashConfs (Pugwash), IPPNW on social media
Join the conversation:
#nuclearban #TPNW #endnuclearweapons
#NuclearZero #RememberYourHumanity #hibakusha
Share: endnuclearweapons.org with your network
Connect with local peace organizations
Conversation Tips
DO:
Stay calm and factual
Listen actively and acknowledge concerns
Share personal reasons why this matters to you
Focus on common ground (safety, future generations)
Offer specific actions people can take
Be patient—changing minds takes time
Use the phrase "Remember your humanity"—it resonates across divides
DON'T:
Be confrontational or judgmental
Overwhelm with too much information at once
Make it partisan or political
Give up if someone seems resistant
Assume people don't care—they often just don't know
Use fear without offering hope and action
Remember
Every conversation matters. Every voice counts.
Nuclear weapons threaten all of humanity. This isn't about politics—it's about survival. By having these conversations, you're part of a global movement working toward a nuclear weapons-free future.
Nuclear weapons are human-made. What we built, we can also dismantle.
Join thousands around the world taking action today.
Additional Resources
Organizations
ICAN (International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons)