Both nuclear Armageddon and global warming by 3 degrees Celsius would have catastrophic consequences for humanity, and it's challenging to directly compare the two scenarios as they pose different types of threats.
Nuclear Armageddon: A large-scale nuclear war or conflict involving the use of nuclear weapons could result in widespread devastation, immediate loss of life, and significant long-term consequences. The direct impact of nuclear explosions, radiation, and the resulting fires could lead to mass casualties, destruction of infrastructure, and long-lasting environmental contamination. Additionally, a nuclear war could have a severe impact on global climate, causing "nuclear winter," with smoke and debris blocking sunlight and leading to a substantial drop in temperatures, which would further disrupt ecosystems and agriculture.
Global Warming by 3 degrees Celsius: Climate change resulting from a 3-degree Celsius increase in global average temperatures would also have far-reaching and disastrous effects. The consequences of such warming include rising sea levels, more frequent and severe heatwaves, intensified storms, increased frequency of extreme weather events, disruption of ecosystems, loss of biodiversity, and threats to food and water security. These impacts could lead to displacement of populations, conflicts over resources, and significant economic and social disruptions.
Both scenarios have the potential to cause immense human suffering, loss of life, and widespread societal disruptions. It's essential to address both nuclear proliferation and climate change proactively to prevent such catastrophic outcomes. Taking steps to promote peace, disarmament, and international cooperation on nuclear issues, as well as implementing measures to mitigate and adapt to climate change, are critical to safeguarding humanity and the planet. It's worth noting that the urgency of addressing climate change lies in the fact that the consequences of global warming are already becoming apparent and could worsen over time if not effectively addressed.