Dear MEL Topic Readers,
Doomsday Clock 2026: Scientists set new time
Maintained by scientists since 1947, the Doomsday Clock is a symbol
that represents the estimated likelihood of a human-caused global catastrophe,
such as nuclear threats, climate change, and disruptive technologies. The
initial setting of the clock was seven minutes to midnight, where some sort of
nuclear exchange or catastrophic climate change wipes out humanity. It was
wound back to 17 minutes in 1991 when the first Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty
(START I) was signed by the US and the Soviet Union. However, the clock has been
wound forward continuously since then and was set at 85 seconds to midnight
last month, due to ongoing wars and armed conflicts in many parts of the world,
rising nuclear proliferation, and effects of climate change, as major countries
have become more aggressive, adversarial, and nationalistic. Also feared is the
rapid growth and use of AI, which could exacerbate misinformation and
disinformation. Are only powerful or influential governments responsible for advancing
the clock’s hand? In fact, personal actions can also make a difference to help
mitigate the climate crisis. Water and energy conservation, proper recycling, and
the reduction of food waste could all help slow, or even reverse, the clock’s
movement.
Read the article and learn how close the world has become to Doomsday.
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