The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists has moved the Doomsday Clock to 89 seconds to midnight, signaling an unprecedented level of danger facing humanity. Key threats include climate change, nuclear proliferation, instability in the Middle East, pandemics, and military applications of artificial intelligence. The organization's chair expressed concern over aggressive nuclear rhetoric from leaders like Putin, illustrating a growing fear of nuclear weapon use. However, there remains hope that global cooperation could reverse the clock, encouraging action to mitigate existential risks.
"A lot of the rhetoric is very disturbing. There is this growing sense that ... some nation might end up using nuclear weapons, and that's terrifying."
"When you are at this precipice, the one thing you don't want to do is take a step forward," said Daniel Holz, chair of the group's science and security board.
"The clock could be turned back if leaders and nations worked together to address existential risks."
Since 1947, the Doomsday Clock has symbolized humanity's proximity to catastrophe. It's now at 89 seconds to midnight, the closest ever recorded.
Collection
[
|
...
]