Universal Nuclear Weapon Disarmament
- WePlanet Australia
- Oct 2
- 2 min read
WePlanet Australia members vote to adopt a policy of advocating for Universal Nuclear Weapon Disarmament.
Rationale
Nuclear weapons remain the single greatest threat to humanity and the environment. The continued existence of thousands of warheads on high-alert increases the risk of catastrophic accidents, miscalculations, or intentional use. Disarmament is both a moral imperative and a practical necessity for long-term human and ecological survival.
Just as climate change requires global cooperation, so too does reducing and ultimately eliminating nuclear weapons. A stepped treaty-based process—like past arms reduction agreements—offers a realistic path forward. Disarmament also provides a unique opportunity to transform destructive technologies into tools for clean energy, aligning peace and climate goals.
Our concern about fossil fuels arises from their harmful effects on human health and the damage they cause to our shared environment. Supporting nuclear weapon disarmament is logically consistent with this position and with other principles held by WePlanet Australia.
What makes our contribution unique in this discussion is our pragmatic stance. We advocate for universal disarmament and practical steps to reduce nuclear risks, rather than simply calling for unilateral action by individual countries, or a ban on all nuclear technologies. This approach reflects WePlanet Australia’s broader commitment: to examine the evidence, to engage with the world as it is—not only as we wish it to be—and to work steadily toward a safer and more sustainable future.
Key Points
Stepped Global Disarmament Treaty
Support multilateral negotiations for a phased reduction of nuclear stockpiles, building on the precedent of US–Russia arms treaties.
Emphasise that this is not unilateral disarmament, but a structured, reciprocal process.
Risk Reduction as Progress
Advocate for interim measures that immediately reduce the risk of accidental or unauthorised use, such as:
Ending “launch on warning” policies and shifting to “launch on confirmation.”
Adopting “no first strike” commitments.
Megatons to Megawatts – Recycling for Peace and Energy
Promote an expanded international program to dismantle nuclear warheads and recycle the material as fuel for nuclear power stations.
Disarmament is a win-win: reducing existential risk while supporting a clean energy transition.
Australia’s Role
Call on Australia to champion universal disarmament in international forums, aligning with its history of leadership in global peace and non-proliferation.
Position disarmament as both a peace issue and an environmental one, linking it to WePlanet’s broader mission of protecting humanity and the planet.
About us:
WePlanet Australia is an ecohumanist organisation promoting public policy addressing a range of social and environmental issues including climate change, biodiversity loss and poverty.
We can liberate nature and elevate humanity. Media inquiries: Committee@weplanetaustralia.org