In 1945, Albert Einstein and his students from The University of Chicago founded what is known as The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists. They also created the ‘Doomsday Clock.’ This metaphorical clock represents how near the world as we know it is coming to an end, or rather, a possible apocalypse.
Close to Catastrophe
“It is 100 seconds to midnight. We are now expressing how close the world is to catastrophe in seconds – not hours or even minutes. It is the closest to Doomsday we have ever been in the history of the Doomsday Clock. We now face a true emergency. An absolutely unacceptable state of world affairs that has eliminated any margin for error or further delay.” – Dr Rachel Bronson, president and CEO of The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists
Each year, an adjustment is made according to how close we are to impending doom. And it’s not looking good for the planet as we know it.
A Wakeup Call For Humanity
Last year, the doomsday clock was set to 100 seconds to midnight, and for 2021, it remains unchanged. Last year, the clock was changed for the first time in 48 months when it was moved from 120 seconds to 100 seconds. We, as humans, are extremely close to disaster and catastrophe. This, according to the group known as The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists. Along with the obvious and extreme threats of nuclear weapons and climate change, the Covid-19 pandemic is not of much help. It is well on its way to pushing humanity and everything we know to an apocalypse—all caused by humans.
We are not Prepared
Dr Rachel Bronson, the CEO and president of the scientific group says; “Humanity continues to suffer as the Covid-19 spreads around the world. The pandemic serves as a historic wake-up call. A vivid illustration that national governments and international organizations are unprepared to manage complex and dangerous challenges. Like those of nuclear weapons and climate change.” The doomsday clock has been in existence for over 70 years. And, this is the closest it has been to symbolic doom.[1]
What Exactly Is The Doomsday Clock?
“The Doomsday Clock is a design that warns the public about how close we are to destroying our world with dangerous technologies of our own making. “It is a metaphor, a reminder of the perils we must address if we are to survive on the planet. When the Doomsday Clock was created in 1947, the greatest danger to humanity came from nuclear weapons. In particular from the prospect that the United States and the Soviet Union were headed for a nuclear arms race. The Bulletin considered possible catastrophic disruptions from climate change in its hand-setting deliberations for the first time in 2007.”
There is Some Hope
The group of scientists has expressed a glimmer of hope, despite the doomsday clock being so close to the end of humanity. Thanks to the new United States President Joe Biden. His plan to rejoin the Paris climate change agreement to help combat and fight climate change in his own country. Also, urging leaders across the globe to do more by cutting carbon emissions will surely help. President Biden also has signaled wanting to extend the New START arms control agreement with Russia by another five years.[2]
Climate Change
“The election of a US president who acknowledges climate change as a profound threat and supports international cooperation and science-based policy puts the world on a better footing to address global problems.” – The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists
The scientists have also created a list of steps for the world’s leaders to follow to do a better job at helping our planet and pushing the doomsday clock further back. Their list involves world leaders to create more comprehensive and ambitious limits on nuclear weapons and their delivery systems. Other points on their list included combating carbon impacts and increasing biological research. Another important factor was misinformation, especially on the internet.[3]
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References
- Doomsday Clock Remains Unchanged At 100 Seconds To Midnight. LadBible. JESS HARDIMAN. January 27, 2021
- Doomsday Clock remains at 100 seconds to midnight — perilously close to catastrophe. NBCNews. Denise Chow. January 27, 2021.
- Explained: What is the ‘Doomsday Clock’ now just 100 secs away from apocalypse? Indian Express.