The Doomsday Clock has advanced one minute, symbolizing increased nuclear dangers in our world. It’s now 11:55 p.m. on the symbolic clock that reflects threats to humanity and the planet, especially from nuclear weapons. Midnight represents the end of mankind from its own destruction. The clock has become a universally recognized indicator of the world’s vulnerability to catastrophe from nuclear weapons, climate change and emerging technologies in the life sciences. The announcement was made in Washington, D.C. yesterday by the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists. Reasons for the advance included no dramatic evidence in the reduction of nuclear weapons, the talk of developing new nuclear weapons systems and damage to the Japanese nuclear reactors from the earthquake and tsunami. The last time the Doomsday Clock minute hand moved was in January 2010, when the clock’s minute hand was pushed back one minute from five to six minutes before midnight. BAS noted, “Two years ago, it appeared that world leaders might address the truly global threats that we face. In many cases, that trend has not continued or been reversed. For that reason, the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists is moving the clock hand one minute closer to midnight, back to its time in 2007.” Find out more at www.thebulletin.org.
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Doomsday Clock Moves 1 Minute Closer To Midnight
The Doomsday Clock has advanced one minute, symbolizing increased nuclear dangers in our world. It’s now 11:55 p.m. on the symbolic clock that reflects threats to humanity and the planet, especially from nuclear weapons. Midnight represents the end of mankind from its own destruction. The clock has become a universally recognized indicator of the world’s vulnerability to catastrophe from nuclear weapons, climate change and emerging technologies in the life sciences. The announcement was made in Washington, D.C. yesterday by the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists. Reasons for the advance included no dramatic evidence in the reduction of nuclear weapons, the talk of developing new nuclear weapons systems and damage to the Japanese nuclear reactors from the earthquake and tsunami. The last time the Doomsday Clock minute hand moved was in January 2010, when the clock’s minute hand was pushed back one minute from five to six minutes before midnight. BAS noted, “Two years ago, it appeared that world leaders might address the truly global threats that we face. In many cases, that trend has not continued or been reversed. For that reason, the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists is moving the clock hand one minute closer to midnight, back to its time in 2007.” Find out more at www.thebulletin.org.
