Doomsday clock ticks closer: hHumanity now 89 seconds away
The Doomsday Clock indicates only 89 seconds to midnight, according to which we have never been so close to self-destruction.
The Doomsday Clock, developed by physicists after World War II, symbolizes humanity's nearness to total annihilation. The clock's hands are currently set at 89 seconds to midnight, the closest moment in history. A year ago, the clock showed 90 seconds to midnight.
The decision to adjust the clock hands is based on several factors, including nuclear risks, climate change, and the development of technologies such as artificial intelligence. Daniel Holz from the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists emphasizes that the war in Ukraine and tensions in the Middle East increase the threat.
Holz notes that China's military pressure near Taiwan and North Korea's ballistic missile tests also contribute to the uncertainty. There is also concern about the uncontrolled development of artificial intelligence, especially its potential use in nuclear weapons.
We have observed insufficient progress in dealing with key challenges, which in many cases leads to increasingly negative and concerning outcomes, said Holz, quoted by Reuters.
Climate change and its impacts
Climate change is another major factor. The World Meteorological Organization reports that greenhouse gas concentrations reached a record level in 2023.
Holz emphasizes that "setting the Doomsday Clock to 89 seconds to midnight is a warning to all world leaders."
The Doomsday Clock, created by scientists from the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, initially considered only nuclear threats.
Since 2007, it has also taken climate change into account. The symbolic time to doomsday changes depending on scientists' assessment of the threats.
