Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, August 17th 2026: A blind spot in climate models: Slower tree growth in a warming world
Posted: 18th August 2026
August 17, 2026
Researchers at Cornell University say they’ve identified a potential flaw in many Earth system models that could be overestimating future carbon storage by trees by up to 30%. (Photo by Christian Regg, Unsplash)
A blind spot in climate models: Slower tree growth in a warming world
A new study suggests climate models may be overestimating how much carbon forests will absorb in a warming world, raising the possibility that global temperatures could rise even more than current projections anticipate, writes Bulletin climate editor Jessica McKenzie. Read more.
AI helped me (almost) build a killer drone
When Matt Smith asked four different chatbots if he could buy everything needed to build a lethal, self-guided drone, they all had the same answer: yes. They even provided a shopping list. But as Smith writes, the process was “stranger than expected.” This article is a collaboration between the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists and Mother Jones. Read more and watch the video.
Treat me like a human: the prescience of Children of Men
In Alfonso Cuarón’s 2006 film Children of Men, set in a world without children, the state mandates fertility tests of its citizens while forcing refugees into cages. State power is unleashed on human bodies, as certain lives are prized and encouraged to have babies, while others are deemed not worth living. The themes in this science fiction film from 20 years ago are reflected in the real world we live in today, write Eric Trump and Josephine Johnston. This Bulletinmagazine article is available to all readers for a limited time.
Upcoming event
The political implications of Hiroshima’s scarred “maidens”
In May 1955, 25 Japanese women, all of whom had survived the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, were flown to the United States, writes Bulletin senior fellow Alex Wellerstein. The press called them the “Hiroshima Maidens,” and they were brought to the US for plastic surgery. Read more and watch the video from Wellerstein here.
How the bomb failed to deliver security in Pakistan
As global interest in nuclear weapons surges, Pakistan’s recent conflict with India reveals their stark limits—failing to deter deep cross-border strikes while adding dangerous escalation risks. Islamabad offers a clear warning to nations rethinking the bomb’s true security value, writes Sadia Tasleem. Read more.
The Bulletin is hiring
The Bulletin is searching for an Advancement Services Coordinator, as well as two Bulletin editorial fellows, to cover the areas of biosecurity and disruptive technologies/AI. Learn more about these positions here.
IN THE NEWS
How Silicon Valley fell back in love with Bombs
Bulletin editor in chief Sharon Weinberger writes in the New York Times about Silicon Valley’s pivot to the Pentagon. The piece is a preview of her forthcoming book “Valley of Death: How Big Tech is Fueling the Future of War.” Read more.
UPCOMING EVENT
Climate Desk Live: AI, energy, and our fight for democracy and a healthy, affordable future
Save the date for a Climate Week 2026 Keynote Event, presented by Climate Desk Live partners Mother Jones, Capital B News, and the Bulletin, in collaboration with the Tishman Environment & Design Center at The New School. Register to attend.
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