Since nuclear weapons testing began on 16 July 1945, nearly 2,000 have taken place. In the early days of nuclear testing little consideration was given to its devastating effects on human life, let alone the dangers of nuclear fallout from atmospheric tests. Hindsight and history have shown us the terrifying and tragic effects of nuclear weapons testing, especially when controlled conditions go awry, and in light of the far more powerful and destructive nuclear weapons that exist today.
The International Day against Nuclear Tests was approved at the 64th session of the UN General Assembly, which took place on December 2, 2009. The main task of the new date, August 29, is to intensify the efforts of the UN, world powers, governmental and non-governmental organizations in the matter of ending nuclear tests. These actions are a prerequisite for creating a secure world.
The preamble of the relevant General Assembly resolution emphasizes the need "to put an end to nuclear tests in order to prevent their devastating and detrimental consequences for human life and health." All states parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons have pledged to work together to achieve security in a world free of nuclear weapons and have described the ban on nuclear testing as a "vital task."
We can't fully give up it but we can make our children understand the harm of such tests by developing an educational system, holding special events, making this topic usual for family conversations. Many people around the world are struggling with the consequences of nuclear exploding and we mustn't be an exception. Maybe we don't see the consequences, don't feel them but we can realize them due to The International Day against Nuclear Tests.
If you want to find out more about this holiday, you can follow the link below. And maybe it will motivate you to take some little steps to change your lives.
References:
- United Nations Organization (2021). The International Day against Nuclear Tests. https://www.un.org/en/observances/end-nuclear-tests-day
