Don’t miss a thing by getting the Daily Star’s biggest headlines straight to your inbox!
Scientists have revealed their annual 'Doomsday Clock' as they set their prediction for when the world ends as we stay close to the apocalypse.
The Doomsday Clock has been set to 100 seconds to midnight during a live announcement today, for the third time in a row.
The clock is revealed every January and serves as a metaphor for how close humanity is on the brink of its own extinction but scientists say "the challenges are very real".
This year marked the clock's 75th birthday since the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists created it back in 1947.
Rachel Bronson, Bulletin President and CEO, announced the decision and said: "Today, the members of the Science and Security Board find the world to be no safer than it was last year at this time and therefore has decided to set the Doomsday Clock once again at 100 seconds to midnight.”
She added there were "several bright spots" but also "many disturbing trends" that were considered when scientists were looking to set this year's clock.
Dr Bronson also stated that "because humans created these threats, we can reduce them" during the live broadcast.
During the announcement, various speakers mentioned potential threats such as war, covid, biotechnology, artificial intelligence, disinformation campaigns and climate change.
In a statement on their website, the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists wrote: "Leaders around the world must immediately commit themselves to renewed cooperation in the many ways and venues available for reducing existential risk. Citizens of the world can and should organize to demand that their leaders do so—and quickly. The doorstep of doom is no place to loiter."
Scientists choose the mark of the clock hands with the further from midnight, meaning the safer the world is from the apocalypse.
When scientists last revealed the Doomsday Clock in 2021, it was also delicately poised at 100 seconds to 'Midnight'.
Scientists first put the clock with its hand at seven minutes to midnight on the first-ever appearance of the Doomsday Clock in 1947.
It has been reported that scientists look at global events and potential disasters, as well the effect of climate change on the world.
As with last year and in 2000, 100 seconds to midnight is terrifyingly the closest we have been to the end of the world in the clock's history.
The decision to move the hand so close was due to the worldwide pandemic of coronavirus.
For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletter by clicking here.
Speaking last year, Dr Bronson said: "We recognise that humanity continues to suffer as the Covid-19 pandemic spreads around the world.
"The pandemic revealed just how unprepared and unwilling countries and the international system are to handle global emergencies properly.
"In this time of genuine crisis, governments around the world too often abdicated responsibility, ignored scientific advice, did not co-operate to communicate effectively and consequently failed to protect health and welfare of their citizens."
- Breaking News
- End Of The World
Source: Read Full Article
