Nuclear winter is a theoretical climate phenomenon that could occur after a large-scale nuclear war. It is believed that the explosions would release massive amounts of soot and debris into the atmosphere, blocking sunlight and leading to a significant drop in temperatures worldwide. This drastic cooling could disrupt agriculture, causing widespread food shortages and threatening ecosystems. The concept of nuclear winter was popularized in the 1980s by scientists studying the potential environmental impacts of nuclear conflict. Research indicated that even a limited nuclear exchange could have severe consequences for the planet, affecting not just the countries involved but also global climate patterns and human survival.