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For two consecutive years, the Doomsday Clock has maintained a setting of 90 seconds to midnight, with experts warning that the threats to humanity are at an unprecedented level.
Maintaining last year’s setting – the closest to 12 it has ever been – means the clock’s keepers believe the threat of global apocalypse has not cooled off in the past 12 months.
They stressed that this does not indicate stability in the world.
Rachel Bronson, president and chief executive of the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, said: “Make no mistake: resetting the clock at 90 seconds to midnight is not an indication that the world is stable.
On the contrary, it is imperative for governments and communities worldwide to take action.
The Bulletin is optimistic and motivated by the younger generations taking the lead.
The scientists cited the wars in Ukraine and Gaza, multi-dimensional nuclear threats, failures to address the climate crisis, bio-threats, and artificial intelligence (AI) as reasons for the setting.
The time on the Doomsday Clock is determined by the Science and Security Board (SASB) of the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, in collaboration with its board of sponsors, which comprises of nine Nobel laureates.
The recent announcement from the Doomsday Clock indicates that concerning patterns persist, indicating the world is heading towards a potential global disaster.
The ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the rising dependence on nuclear weapons heighten the likelihood of a nuclear escalation.
The countries of China, Russia, and the United States are investing large amounts of money in order to increase or update their supply of nuclear weapons. This increases the constant threat of nuclear war due to potential errors or misjudgments.
“2023 saw Earth’s warmest year to date, with millions of individuals worldwide being impacted by severe flooding, wildfires, and other natural disasters linked to climate change.”
As time passed, there were concerning advancements in the fields of life sciences and other disruptive technologies, but governments made minimal attempts to regulate them…
The world can become a more secure place. The clock can be reset away from midnight.
The researchers propose several methods to “reverse the clock.”
At the uppermost tiers, these three nations must acknowledge their role in the current global crisis.
According to sources, the initial action should involve a sincere discussion between the US, China, and Russia, despite their significant differences, regarding the global dangers they have identified.
The top leaders of these three nations must accept accountability for the grave threat that the world is currently confronting.
“The Bulletin urges them to use their ability to prevent the world from reaching a catastrophic point. They should act with determination and bravery, without any delay.”
In 1947, the countdown was initiated by scientists involved in the Manhattan Project, which aimed to create the first atomic bomb.
The purpose of its creation was to offer a straightforward means of showcasing the potential harm to Earth and humanity caused by nuclear warfare.
While initially created as a means of alerting to the danger of nuclear disaster, the Doomsday Clock has now evolved to also consider the potential risks of other emerging issues like climate change, biotechnology advancements, and artificial intelligence.
The clock initially began ticking at seven minutes before midnight and has since fluctuated as global dangers have evolved.
Source: independent.co.uk
