Nuclear winter

Nuclear winter, term referring to the global environmental catastrophe that might occur as a result of dramatic changes in the earth's atmosphere caused by nuclear war. The theory holds that the dust and debris hurled into the sky by nuclear bombs would remain in the air for years, blocking a large percentage of the sun's light and resulting in freezing temperatures throughout the world. Nearly all crops would die, food chains would be interrupted, and many species of plant and animal life would become extinct. Agriculture as we know it would no longer be possible.

See also: Nuclear weapon.