What is the Doomsday Clock and how can it help humanity avoid global disasters?

The world has reached a limit it has never done before, according to the update from the Board of Science and Safety in the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists at the University of Chicago on the Doomsday Clock, also known as the Doomsday Clock.

It is now estimated that the world is 90 seconds away from a global catastrophe due to, among other factors, the war in Ukraine.

“The war in Ukraine may enter a horrible second year, with both sides convinced they can win. At stake are the sovereignty of Ukraine and the broader European security arrangements that have largely been maintained since the end of World War II,” it said in a statement.

In January the hands of the Doomsday Clock are adjusted. How much longer until the apocalypse?

They also warned of Russia’s threats to use nuclear weapons and that this creates a risk of the conflict getting out of control.

In January 2021, the clock marked 100 seconds.

“The Doomsday Clock is sounding an alarm for all humanity. We are on the edge of a precipice. But our leaders are not acting fast enough or on a scale enough to ensure a peaceful and livable planet. From reducing carbon emissions to strengthening arms control treaties to investing in pandemic preparedness,” said Mary Robinson, President of The Elders and former United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.

The Doomsday or Doomsday Clock was created in 1947 and is a symbol of how close the world is to a global catastrophe. The first time the clock moved was when the first atomic bomb was successfully tested in 1949, going from seven minutes to midnight to just three.

From the Science and Security Board they detailed that this is not a forecasting tool but to be taken into account by leaders and citizens to reduce the dangers and efforts of institutions, whether they are governments, markets or civil society organizations, to comply with negotiated agreements.

“The Bulletin is a bit like a doctor making a diagnosis. We look at the data, like doctors look at lab tests and x-rays, and we also take into account the more difficult-to-quantify factors, like doctors do when talking to patients and family members.” (YO)