In this interview, Dr. Ira Helfand discusses his journey into nuclear disarmament activism, initially sparked by concerns about nuclear power's public health risks. He advocates for the abolition of nuclear weapons as an urgent necessity, citing the extreme danger they pose to global security and human survival. Helfand describes the limitations civil society faces, particularly in the U.S., where public and governmental attention on nuclear threats has waned since the Cold War. He emphasizes the need for a reinvigorated grassroots movement and coordinated international action, referencing successful efforts by organizations like ICAN to foster global awareness.

This document summary was generated by an artificial intelligence language model and was reviewed by a Wilson Center staff member.