A Little Less Closer To Doomsday

By aaroncynic in News on Jan 14, 2010 8:00PM

Even though as a species it seems we’re always on the brink of catastrophe, the world can breathe a tiny sigh of relief today, as the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists moved the clock backwards by one minute. According to the Doomsday Clock, maintained by the board of directors for the Bulletin, we’re now six minutes away from what the Bulletin calls “catastrophic destruction.”

The Doomsday clock evolved from the cover of the magazine in 1947. The clock first appeared at 7 minutes to midnight, symbolizing the concern the scientific community had over nuclear war. Since then, the clock moved closest to midnight (2 minutes) in 1953, after the United States and Soviet Union both tested hydrogen bombs. The clock stood furthest away (17 minutes) in 1991, when both the U.S. and Russia reduced the number of nuclear weapons via the START treaty. In addition, both countries took many ICBMs and other methods of delivery off “hair-trigger” alert.

The Bulletin now takes into account biosecurity and climate change as factors, along with the availability of nuclear technology, when positioning the clock. The statement released today cites increased international co-operation on nuclear disarmament and climate change along with the “changing views of former government leaders in Europe, North America and elsewhere” for the six minute positioning. Still however, rolling the clock back further will require much effort and change from every government. “We urge leaders to fulfill the promise of a nuclear weapon-free world and to act now to slow the pace of climate change. Finally, we call on citizens everywhere to raise their voices and compel public action for a safer world now and for future generations.”