According to Nate Hagens, a nuclear weapon is a technologically advanced and highly destructive device that releases massive amounts of energy through nuclear reactions, primarily fission or a combination of fission and fusion. He emphasizes that while these weapons were initially developed in the mid-20th century as a means of deterrence and strategic power during geopolitical conflicts, their existence and potential use pose existential risks to humanity and the biosphere. Hagens would likely highlight that the unprecedented power of nuclear weapons not only holds the capacity to obliterate cities and cause immediate human and ecological devastation but also threatens long-term planetary health through lingering radiation effects and potential nuclear winter scenarios. Consequently, their presence reflects a critical energy and ethical dilemma in modern civilization, where the concentration and application of energy can yield both extraordinary benefits and catastrophic consequences.

See also: nuclear fuel, nuclear bomb, arms race, nuclear power