IntroductionNever in history has man had to worry about his own existence or even the existence of human beings because someone on the other side of the world possessed the ability to put an end to all life on earth. The threat to the human race is at risk every day in a world equipped with nuclear weapons. There have been several military revolutions throughout history, but the one that spurred the greatest change ever seen in military warfare was by far that of nuclear weapons. They have proven to be the most devastating weapon ever seen in history, used as a war deterrent for many, and have enabled weak countries to become global powers. Nuclear weapons are not just one country's problem; they belong to everyone. The ability to end the world by one reckless individual is a possibility we all live with every day. Topics Nuclear weapons are the deadliest and most environmentally damaging weapon ever developed. Today's scientists and engineers have access to computers, facility with physical materials, a greater abundance of scientific knowledge, and organizations dedicated to the development of weapons systems, but even today nuclear weapons are the most powerful. The first nuclear bomb was developed by the United States and tested near Alamogordo, New Mexico on July 16, 1945. This would become the weapon of choice to end the war with Japan during World War II. On August 6, 1945 at 08:45 local time, the first atomic bomb was dropped on the city of Hiroshima. The devastating results were the instant deaths of over 70,000 people and the destruction of 4.4 square miles of structures. Three days later, on August 9, the second atomic bomb was dropped on Nagasaki with similar effects; over 40,000 died instantly. The total number of deaths is not really known but is estimated to be over 200,000 thousand due to both… middle of paper… final: $5.5 trillion well spent. Edited by Stephen I. Schwartz. July 8, 1998. http://www.brookings.edu/about/projects/archive/nucweapons/silverberg (accessed January 19, 2014). The Chernobyl Forum. The legacy of Chernobyl: health, environmental and socioeconomic impacts and recommendations to the governments of Belarus, the Russian Federation and Ukraine. 5 September 2005. http://www.iaea.org/Publications/Booklets/Chernobyl/chernobyl.pdf (accessed 20 January 2014). US National Research Council. Science and technology for environmental cleanup at Hanford. Washington, DC: US ​​National Academy Press, 2001.United, Nations. The Secretary-General's five-year action programme. 25 January 2012. http://www.un.org/sg/priorities/index.shtml (accessed 19 January 2014). Weeramantry, CG Nuclear Weapons and Scientific Responsibility. Wolfeboro, NH: Longwood Academic, 1987.