scientists from “Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists” left symbolic time until the end of the earth for the second year in a rowI 90 seconds, as they announced on Tuesday in Washington.
Last year, researchers set the hands of the so-called “Doomsday Clock” to 90 seconds before midnight for the first time. “closer to a global catastrophe than ever”, said the president of the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists, Rachel Bronson.
➤ Read more: Nuclear fear: the doomsday clock is just 90 seconds until midnight
Still high risk
The risks continue to exist with unchanged vehemence. “The war in Ukraine poses a constant threat of nuclear escalation, and the October 7th attack and the war in Gaza are yet another example of the horrors of modern warfare, even without nuclear escalation,” lamented Bronson.
“Countries that possess nuclear weapons are carrying out modernization programs that could lead to a new nuclear arms race.” Earth is also experiencing its hottest year since records began. There are massive floods, fires and other climate-related disasters, and the lack of consistent action against climate change threatens billions of lives and livelihoods.
➤ Former Kremlin chief threatens to use atomic bomb again
Alex Glazer from the renowned American University of Princeton also referred to this year's US presidential elections. Every US election raises the question of the immense power of the American president, who has the exclusive authority to use nuclear weapons within minutes. “From our perspective, this has always been a very dangerous regulation.”
A new president will be elected in the USA on November 5th. Current Democrat Joe Biden wants to run for a second term. There are only two Republican candidates left in the primaries for the presidential nomination – one of them is former US President Donald Trump.
➤ US elections: Candidate DeSantis withdraws and supports Trump
Danger of nuclear war and overheating of the Earth
The symbolic status of the “Doomsday Clock” is announced once a year. In 2020, the clock was symbolically advanced to 100 seconds before midnight for the first time, and then to 90 seconds before midnight in 2023. According to researchers, the risk of humanity being wiped out by nuclear war or self-inflicted global warming is greater than at any time since the clock was invented in 1947.