A report from scientists released last week indicates that a small scale nuclear war could “trigger planetwide cooling.” What a relief! With our fine friends in places like Iran and North Korea, and the cozy proximity of grumbly neighbors like India and Pakistan, it’s strictly a matter of time and all our problems will be solved, with just a few minor side effects.

A regional nuclear war between Third World nations… would likely ravage agriculture and kill millions of people, scientists reported Monday. …(V)ast urban firestorms ignited by war would send thick, dark clouds into the upper atmosphere, blocking the sun's rays and cooling much of the planet, with severe climatic and agricultural results. The soot might remain in the upper atmosphere for up to a decade.

"All hell would break loose," said Prof. Richard Turco of UCLA's department of atmospheric and ocean sciences.

And I was worried about moving to Reseda, with our 115 degree highs last summer. Now if it gets really bad, I’ll just hop on a quick flight to Pakistan and leave a bag of flaming poo on President Musharraf’s doorstep with a friendly little note from [president of India] Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam.

Small Nuclear War Could Severely Cool The Planet (SFGate)