6 September, 1984
Dear Dr. Nirenberg:
Nearly three decades ago Bertrand Russell and Albert Einstein, along with seven other Nobel laureates, published a statement calling for the renunciation of thermonuclear weapons and the establishment of peaceful means for settling international disputes.  Since that time, the prospects for global nuclear war have become even more dire.  Recent studies on the possibilities of a nuclear war triggering a nuclear winter now confirm earlier fears that nuclear war might well mean an end to life on this planet.  Despite the increasing danger, national policy-makers are devoting ever more money to armaments and continue to ignore pressing environmental needs.  Another warning by the world's intellectual leaders -- in the spirit of the Einstein-Russell "Manifesto" -- is long overdue.
We are writing to ask you to join a new statement that will be issued in the third week of September.  Originally drafted by David Brower of the Friends of the Earth and Russell Peterson of the National Audubon Society and the Global Tomorrow Coalition, this statement is part of a five-day-long conference involving more than one hundred environmental and peace organizations.  The Conference begins September 19, 1984 in Washington, D.C. and is the second in a series of biennial conferences sharing the theme "Conservation and Security in a Sustainable Society."
A draft of the new statement (a Policy and Action Statement) is enclosed, along with a Legislative Action Agenda spelling out some short-term steps for action.  We urge you to read the statements and consider becoming a signatory.  Some of us endorse only the Policy and Action Statement, while others of us endorse both.  Please use your own judgment about whether you wish to sign one or both.
As Russell and Einstein understood, the endorsement of scientists of international stature has the power to endow such a declaration with universal respect and recognition.  With your assistance and the assistance of other Nobel laureates, we hope to provide an effective, widely-publicized call to action to prevent nuclear war and environmental decay.
We hope you will join us in endorsing this effort.  Although the statements cannot be panaceas, they perhaps can alert the public to the need for new understanding, responsibility, and commitment.  It is hard to imagine an election year when such an alert was more needed.
Since time is short, we would greatly appreciate if you -- or a representative -- could call Laura Nelson, the statement coordinator, as soon as possible at (415)328-5137. Otherwise, she will try to reach you.  The statement will be going to press within the week, and your endorsement would be most useful before that date. However, if necessary, endorsements up until the first day of the Conference, September 18, are possible.
Robert Hofstadter, Stanford University
Henry Taube, Stanford University
William Fowler, U.C. San Diego
George Wald, Harvard University