Trump Nuclear Testing: A Cautionary Tale from the Marshall Islands
Recent comments from President Donald Trump regarding the potential resumption of nuclear weapons testing in the United States have ignited significant debate among experts. Concerns revolve around the implications of such testing, both for human health and international relations. One area of particular focus is the long-lasting impact of nuclear testing, especially as seen through the experiences of the Marshall Islands.
Impact of Nuclear Testing in the Marshall Islands
The Marshall Islands, a collection of approximately 1,200 islands in the Pacific Ocean, were a United States-administered trust territory from 1947 to 1986. Between 1946 and 1958, the US conducted 67 nuclear tests in this region. The total explosive yield during that time equated to one Hiroshima-sized atomic bomb detonated daily for two decades.
The radiation from these tests has had devastating effects. According to a 2025 report by the Institute for Energy and Environmental Research (IEER), the nuclear fallout has caused 55% of cancers on certain northern atolls of the islands. Globally, the fallout is estimated to have contributed to approximately 100,000 excess cancer deaths.
Health Consequences
Radiation exposure resulted from various isotopes present in the fallout. These isotopes can affect human DNA, leading to mutations and various forms of cancer, including:
- Lung cancer
- Leukemia
- Lymphoma
- Thyroid cancer
- Breast cancer
The effects of nuclear testing extend beyond the Marshall Islands. The Nevada Test Site also witnessed 100 atmospheric and several underground tests, with some results leading to fallout escaping into the atmosphere.
Legacy of Testing
The health and environmental legacy of nuclear testing remains a complex issue for the Marshall Islands. Current residents of Enewetak Atoll face exposure to contaminated coconut palms, devastating their agricultural opportunities. The capacity for indigenous navigation skills has also diminished due to the ongoing impacts of radiation on their way of life.
Matt Korda from the Nuclear Information Project notes that resuming nuclear testing could exacerbate the struggles of affected communities. The persistent issues surrounding nuclear waste management are exemplified on Runit Island, where the dome structure contains 85,000 cubic meters of radioactive waste. This area, deemed uninhabitable, is at risk due to rising sea levels linked to climate change.
Bikini Atoll and Castle Bravo
Bikini Atoll, the site of the US’s largest nuclear test, Castle Bravo, forced the evacuation of its residents under distressing circumstances. Even decades later, the area remains uninhabitable due to high radiation levels. Residents of Rongelap Atoll, affected by “Bikini snow,” suffered immediate and long-term health consequences, including severe birth defects.
Global Context of Nuclear Testing
Since the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) opened for signature in 1996, which prohibits nuclear weapon tests, no major nuclear powers, including the US, Russia, and China, have conducted tests that are globally acknowledged. Nonetheless, India, Pakistan, and North Korea have conducted tests outside of the treaty framework.
President Trump’s recent call for nuclear testing has raised alarms about a potential new arms race and its daunting implications for global peace and security. While testing may be unlikely within the Marshall Islands again, the historical impact of past nuclear activities remains a stark reminder of the consequences of nuclear weapons.
