Events Calendar

Professor Fred Lamb; Fortner Chair of Theoretical Astrophysics, Emeritus; University of Illinois

"The Growing Danger of Nuclear Weapons (and how physicists can help reduce it)"

Although today’s nuclear arsenals are not much in the news, they pose enormous risks for all humanity. Moreover, many treaties that have reduced the threat of nuclear weapons are now being abandoned, and enormous resources are scheduled to be spent on new nuclear weapons. We face a renewed nuclear arms race with potentially catastrophic consequences. Historically, physicists have played a critical role in helping the public and decision makers understand the threat posed by nuclear weapons and what can be done to reduce the threat. I will explain the growing nuclear crisis and describe a new project sponsored by the American Physical Society to support and mobilize physicists to reduce the nuclear threat.

Biography: Fred Lamb is Fortner Chair of Theoretical Astrophysics Emeritus and a core faculty member in the Arms Control and Domestic & International Security Program at the University of Illinois. As an expert on space policy, ballistic missiles and missile defenses, and the technical aspects of nuclear test bans, he has been a consultant to the Defense Department, national laboratories, and Congressional committees. He co-chaired the American Physical Society’s 2003 Study of Boost-Phase Missile Defense and is chair of the current APS POPA Study of Missile Defense and National Security. The focus of his scientific research is high-energy and relativistic astrophysics and dense matter.

Discussion on Getting Involved in Nuclear Policy Advocacy - 4:30PM same Zoom link

Discussion Lead by Professor Fred Lamb, Physicists Coalition for Nuclear Threat Reduction