Expert reveals the one place in the world where you would survive nuclear war

We currently have no way to predict how many people or what places could survive if a nuclear war were to engulf the world tomorrow. Gulp.

However, if atomic warfare does ensue, then apparently there are a couple of places on Earth you could hunker down in, have a nice cold pint, and wait for it all to blow over.

The topic of a nuclear war was broached by Annie Jacobsen, a Pulitzer Prize finalist and serial novelist, on a 2024 episode of Steven Bartlett’s The Diary Of A CEO podcast.

The episode, titled ‘Nuclear War Expert: 72 Minutes To Wipe Out 60% Of Humans, In The Hands Of 1 Person! If Nuclear War Starts, Go To This Country!’ was published on 13 May and saw the pair cycling through various eye-opening topics.

Barlett and Jacobsen discussed the likelihood of a single person triggering a global catastrophe, the evolution of nuclear weapons and whether artificial intelligence (AI) could serve as a force for good or harm.

Annie Jacobsen discussed where she believes people may be safe during a nuclear war (The Diary Of A CEO)

Amid the conversation, Jacobsen was asked whether or not there was anywhere safe on Earth in the event of a nuclear war taking over the globe.

“There’s one tiny little place in New Zealand,” the 58-year-old confessed. “And a little bit of Australia. And that has to do with if you follow the idea of nuclear war that agriculture fails when we have a nuclear winter and the sun gets blocked out.

“When you have all the billions of people dying, its because agriculture fails. It is said by those who study this that there are some areas in Australia and New Zealand which would remain viable.

“But you’re talking about, kind of hunter-gatherer type people,” the expert continued.

Jacobsen said among some of the ‘stranger’ conversations she’s had on a nuclear war scenario was one conducted with several billionaires who actually ‘have bunkers in New Zealand’.

You need to be thinking about this part of the world if you're wanting to survive a nuclear war, apparently (Getty Stock Image)

The author promised that the money-makers would remain nameless, remarking that those individuals ‘realising the world could end in 72 minutes’ was interesting.

“It wasn’t all ‘let’s get together and make sure nuclear war doesn’t happen’, it was more about how fast can I get my G5 loaded so I can get to New Zealand.”

A clip of the podcast episode has been shared by the YouTube account @goated.quotes, which has saw thousands of users heading to the comments section to have their say.

“So the question is, Why are these billionaires more interested in being alive after the rest of us have perished, than helping to prevent the nuclear war, to begin with?,” one queried.

A second reported: “Life is terrifying knowing every single human on this planets life lays in the hands of people we ourselves can’t even name.”

Someone else typed: “Not a single one of them will make it to their bunker in time.”

“After a global nuclear war, money will have 0 value. You survive with brains and hands that know a usable skill,” said a fourth.

Another user praised Jacobsen for using a voice that was so ‘calm and reassuring’ while broaching some of the most ‘gnarliest topics’, while a fellow YouTuber simply commented: “Good luck getting to New Zealand in 72 minutes.”