India‑Pakistan war may cause ozone loss over US‑Russia
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- Zhihong Zhuo (University of Quebec in Montreal) emphasized that even a small-scale nuclear war can have far‑reaching global side effects beyond the conflict zones.
- India‑Pakistan nuclear exchange was modelled to release 5 million tonnes of soot, versus 16 million tonnes in a US‑Russia exchange.
- Kuo's climate model incorporated organic carbon and other pollutants, showing that tropical circulation lifts the soot higher, keeping it aloft longer and spreading it worldwide.
- Kuo's analysis shows that the India‑Pakistan scenario causes greater ozone‑layer depletion than the US‑Russia case, with the greatest damage over the poles.
- European Geosciences Union hosted the presentation of the study in Vienna, noting that the model predicts UV radiation could rise by up to 30 % in tropical regions, threatening plant and animal health.
Why it matters: The finding means that a regional India‑Pakistan nuclear clash would threaten global food security and public health by amplifying UV radiation, harming crops and wildlife, while also complicating climate‑recovery efforts after a nuclear winter. The risk extends far beyond the combatants, affecting the entire planet.
