Science educator Bill Nye appears on the “Doomsday Clock,” shortly earlier than the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists broadcasts the most recent choice on the “Doomsday Clock” minute hand, Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024, on the National Press Club Broadcast Center, in Washington.
Jacquelyn Martin/AP
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Jacquelyn Martin/AP
Science educator Bill Nye appears on the “Doomsday Clock,” shortly earlier than the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists broadcasts the most recent choice on the “Doomsday Clock” minute hand, Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024, on the National Press Club Broadcast Center, in Washington.
Jacquelyn Martin/AP
WASHINGTON — Earth, for the second yr operating, is nearing apocalypse, a science-oriented advocacy group mentioned, pointing to its well-known “Doomsday Clock” that exhibits 90 seconds until midnight.
The Bulletin of Atomic Scientists made the annual announcement Tuesday ranking how shut humanity is from ending. It cited nuclear risk in Russia’s war on Ukraine in addition to the Oct. 7 attack in Israel and war in Gaza, worsening climate-related disasters and the hazard of generative synthetic intelligence.
“Last yr, we expressed amplified concern by transferring the clock to 90 seconds to midnight, the closest to international disaster it has ever been,” mentioned Rachel Bronson, CEO of the Bulletin group. “The risks from last year continue with unabated veracity and continue to shape this year.”
Starting in 1947, the advocacy group used a clock to represent the potential and even chance of individuals doing one thing to finish humanity. After the tip of the Cold War, it was as shut as 17 minutes to midnight. In the previous few years, to handle fast international modifications, the group has modified from counting down the minutes till midnight to counting down the seconds.
The group mentioned the clock might be turned again if leaders and nations labored collectively, and particularly famous highly effective international locations which have the capability to take action, together with the United States, China and Russia.