By Desmond Tutu

Eliminating nuclear weapons is the democratic wish of the world’s people. Yet no nuclear-armed country currently appears to be preparing for a future without these terrifying devices. In fact, all are squandering billions of dollars on modernization of their nuclear forces, making a mockery of United Nations disarmament pledges. If we allow this madness to continue, the eventual use of these instruments of terror seems all but inevitable.

The nuclear power crisis at Japan’s Fukushima power plant has served as a dreadful reminder that events thought unlikely can and do happen. It has taken a tragedy of great proportions to prompt some leaders to act to avoid similar calamities at nuclear reactors elsewhere in the world. But it must not take another Hiroshima or Nagasaki – or an even greater disaster – before they finally wake up and recognize the urgent necessity of nuclear disarmament.

As we end 2010 with a major victory, help us start 2011 with the support we need to keep moving. Give $40 or more, and we'll send you the new 2011 Peace Builders calendar. Photo credit: Chris De Bruyn – http://chrisdebruyn.zenfolio.com/

It was touch and go until the end.

But just moments ago, the Senate voted to ratify the New START treaty, taking a major step towards a world safe from the threat of nuclear weapons!

I am not kidding, this was a real nail biter. We had to get 67 senators on board to ratify the treaty, and even after more than a year of organizing, a handful of hard-right Republicans with a lot of power were pulling every string to kill it.