Nuclear winter and associated effects : a Canadian appraisal of the environmental impact of nuclear war = L'hiver nucleaire et ses effets connexes : evaluation par le Canada des consequences qu'ane guerre nucleaire aurait sur l'environnement.

Includes bibliographical references

Report of the Committee on the Environmental Consequences of Nuclear War

Text in English and French

This report examines the environmental implications of a nuclear war, in particular the nuclear winter hypothesis, as they might affect Canada. The Committee finds that the nuclear winter hypothesis is plausible, and indeed a formidable threat, though the details of the reality may differ from the model predictions described. A major nuclear exchange at, for example, the 5,000 megatonne level will certainly have very hostile effects on the environment far from the areas of direct impact. Most of these will probably flow from climatic disturbance. The latter may differ from the published predictions of nuclear winter. It may be even more hostile. But some kind of major climatic upset seems probable. Such an upset will damage plants, animals, crops and water supply -- and hence the human economy, if it revives. The report looks at these impacts