We’ve all watched those movies where people hide in bunkers after a nuclear apocalypse, but can we actually survive such an event? Will a nuclear winter actually happen in the aftermath of a nuclear event? And if so, can humans survive a nuclear winter?
Scientists have pondered this question for decades, and interest spikes whenever global tensions rise.
There are various theories about nuclear winter’s effects, and with the right preparations, surviving might be possible.
Most people think surviving a nuclear war means hiding in a bunker with decades of supplies. Is that really necessary?
You can take practical steps today to boost your chances of surviving a nuclear winter, no bunker required. With some planning and preparedness, you can get ready for this scenario and any other.
I’ve dug into studies on potential nuclear conflicts. While none of the outcomes are pleasant, survival is possible with advanced planning. Here’s what you need to know:
Surviving a nuclear winter means you’ve lived through the initial strike and are away from high-value targets. Experts think nuclear winter would last between 1 and 4 years, so preparation is obviously necessary. You’ll need to plan for food, water, energy, and security until normal life can resume.
What Is a Nuclear Winter?
Nuclear winter is a theory suggesting that nuclear explosions would send huge amounts of soot into the atmosphere, blocking sunlight and causing global cooling. Scientists model these effects by studying wildfires and volcanic eruptions.
The year without a summer is one such example. The eruption of Mount Tambora in Indonesia in 1815 sent so much dust and debris into the atmosphere that global weather patterns, temperatures, and climates changed. The summer of 1816 never came. Crops failed across much of the world. In other places, torrential rains ruined crops and devastated whole communities. New virulent strains of cholera popped up and killed millions. Dubbed “a little ice age”, this dramatic even is just one of many scientists use to predict what could happen during a nuclear winter.
How Long Would Nuclear Winter Last?
Early theories claimed nuclear war would release so much NOx that it would destroy the atmosphere, ending all life. Modern science disputes this, suggesting the effects would be devastating but short-lived.
By the 1980s, scientists predicted a nuclear winter could last about 4 years. Real-world tests, like the 1991 Kuwait oil fires, showed that local temperatures dropped dramatically but the effects were regional.
Volcanic eruptions in 1815 and 1883 caused significant global cooling for up to a year. Current consensus is that nuclear winter would last between 1 and 4 years.
How Many Nukes Would It Take to Create a Nuclear Winter?
Recent models suggest even a small nuclear conflict could cause a mini-nuclear winter, cooling the planet by about 1 degree for 2-3 years. This could disrupt growing seasons globally.
Larger conflicts, like between Russia and the US, could cause more severe cooling, but modern studies suggest soot clears from the atmosphere relatively quickly. Overall, a nuclear winter would likely last 1 to 4 years.
So, Can You Survive a Nuclear Winter?
Surviving a small-scale nuclear winter is more feasible than a larger disaster. If you’re far from the conflict, your survival depends on your country’s stability and your own preparedness. Advanced planning is key to getting through the 1-4 years of harsh conditions.
How To Prepare for a Nuclear Winter
Eating grasshoppers and bark might sound like a plan, but they won’t last. Foraging helps in emergencies, but not during a prolonged nuclear winter. Survival hinges on your stored supplies. Remember, temperatures are going to plummet and the weather will go wild, so there won’t be much wild forage, and in more urban areas, everyone will be competing for the same finite old-world supplies to scavenge.
Emergency Food
Long-term food storage is essential. Crop failures and food shortages will likely occur. Aim for at least a one-year emergency food supply per person.
I’ve reviewed the best emergency food kits, and here are my top picks:
Valley Food Storage, Nutrient Survival, and My Patriot Supply offer a variety of good quality, nutrient-dense emergency meals for all budgets. There are many different brands, but these are my personal favorites.
Water
Stored water is crucial for the first few weeks. After that, you’ll need filtration. Berkey filters are great for long-term use, though they currently face supply issues. Alexapure Filters are a good alternative. We also can water for long-term storage.
Sanitation
Sanitation becomes critical after the initial weeks. Pedal-powered washing machines and composting toilets are excellent solutions for waste and hygiene. Composting toilets sound gross, it’s true. But actually, they’re invaluable in terms of maintaining hygiene and getting nutrient-rich compost to use in your survival garden.
Agriculture
Growing food indoors, like shade-tolerant vegetables and microgreens, can supplement your food stores. A DIY lighting setup helps, but you’ll need a generator and fuel or pedal or solar power with battery storage. It’s definitely worth it, in my opinion. Being able to supplement your diet with fresh greens is important in terms of nutrients and fiber, but also morale.
Health and Medical Concerns
Radiation exposure is a concern, but so is the lack of modern healthcare. Keep potassium iodide for radiation protection and a comprehensive medical kit for common injuries and infections. Emergency antibiotics are also vital, so stockpile them and other over-the-counter meds while you can. And learn how to use natural alternatives for when you have no other choice.
Security
In a post-disaster world, personal security is a number one priority. Invest in defense tools like air rifles or crossbows, which are often legal where other weapons are not. You need to be able to defend your property and loved ones from looters and wild animals, and those weapons will also come in handy for hunting for fresh meat to supplement your diet, too.
Have a Survival Library
Books like “Feeding Everyone No Matter What” offer extreme scientific solutions for long-term survival, but practical preparedness with food and a good survival library is more immediately useful. Get yourself some a really good foraging book, skills books, and other useful, practical literature that you can study when you have time, and if the need arises during times of survival.
