This post was written by Hatchet reporter Jake Swirsky.

The co-coordinator of a nuclear non-proliferation campaign urged students to strive for a world without nuclear weapons Wednesday in Funger Hall.

Matt Brown of the Global Zero movement said the world is at risk for total economic and civilization collapse unless people band together to get rid of all the nuclear bombs in existence.

“Unlike climate change, there are no technical or scientific overhauls or financial hurdles to dismantling the nukes,” Brown said.

Brown said nuclear weapons and civil resistance are two forces destined to converge and determine the course of history.

“There were two great powerful forces released 50 years ago,” Brown said. “One was one of the most destructive, horrible forces ever. The other was one of the great forces. These two forces are on a collision course. Only one will in all likelihood survive the 21st century.”

Brown said ridding the world of nuclear weapons would strengthen the global community financially, environmentally and politically.

GW Global Zero co-presidents Christina Walters and Mariah Helgeson said their goal is to inform students on campus about the specific aspects of nuclear treaties, and proliferation.

“I personally like to focus on the East Asian aspects of nuclear proliferation as that’s where my interests lie, but we focus on all aspects here,” Walters said.

GW’s Global Zero chapter partnered with Pi Kappa Alpha and the Elliott School of International Affairs to host the event.