Due to the threat from the Russia-Ukraine war, this year, the Doomsday Clock has been adjusted to just 90 seconds before midnight.
At 10 PM on January 24 according to Hanoi time, the Bulletin of the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists (BAS) announced the movement of the minute hand of the Doomsday Clock closer to midnight, marking the first change in timing in three years. The Doomsday Clock is now set at 90 seconds to midnight. Never in the 76-year history of the Doomsday Clock has humanity been closer to global catastrophe.
The Doomsday Clock has been updated after remaining at 100 seconds to midnight for three consecutive years. (Photo: BAS).
The Doomsday Clock was first introduced at the beginning of the Cold War in 1947, set at 7 minutes to midnight. Each year, members of the Science and Security Board of the BAS adjust the time to reflect events from the previous year that bring humanity closer to or further from the risk of destruction. Today, the Doomsday Clock serves as a warning of threats to the world from all weapons of mass destruction, environmental devastation, climate change, and more. In 2020, the clock was set at 100 seconds to midnight, the closest it has ever been. For the past two years, the clock has remained at this mark.
“This year, BAS moved the minute hand of the Doomsday Clock forward due to the threats from the war in Ukraine. The clock is now at 90 seconds to midnight, the closest to global catastrophe it has ever been,” BAS stated.
The announcement was published for the first time in English, Ukrainian, and Russian, hoping to draw attention in the countries involved in the conflict, according to Rachel Bronson, the CEO of BAS.
