Doomsday Clock to Move Closer to Midnight
The Doomsday Clock, maintained by the Board of Directors of the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists at the University of Chicago since 1947, is set to move closer to midnight this week. The clock is symbolic of the humanity's vulnerability to destruction by nuclear war or other threats. The initial setting in 1947 was seven minutes to midnight, to reflect the state of the world due the threat of the cold war. It has since moved back and forth seventeen times in response to the vulnerability of the world to nuclear war. The clock was last moved in 2002, forward by two minutes, and now sits at seven minutes to midnight.
On Wednesday, January 17th, at two events -- one in Washington, DC, and the other in London -- the clock will moved. The movement reflects the growing concern the Board of Directors of the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists have over the escalating threat of nuclear weapons in the second nuclear age. The US and Russia continue to wield launch-ready nuclear arsenals, while Iran and North Korea continue to build towards their nuclear ambitions. This, combined with the threat of terrorism and the expanded use of nuclear power, could increase proliferation risks.
On Wednesday, January 17th, at two events -- one in Washington, DC, and the other in London -- the clock will moved. The movement reflects the growing concern the Board of Directors of the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists have over the escalating threat of nuclear weapons in the second nuclear age. The US and Russia continue to wield launch-ready nuclear arsenals, while Iran and North Korea continue to build towards their nuclear ambitions. This, combined with the threat of terrorism and the expanded use of nuclear power, could increase proliferation risks.
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