The Earth is approaching destruction, a defense group of science said on Tuesday, as it advanced its famous “Apocalyptic clock“At 89 seconds until midnight, closest to his presence.
The ballot of atomic scientists has made the annual announcement – which assesses how close humanity is – citing threats that include climate changeProliferation of nuclear weapons, instability in the Middle East, threatens pandemics and incorporation of artificial intelligence in military operations.
The clock was 90 seconds at midnight in the past two years and “when you are at this precipice, the only thing you don’t want to take is to take a step forward,” said Daniel Holz, president of the group science and security advice.
The group said it was concerned about cooperation between countries like North Korea, Russia and China in the development of nuclear programs. Russian President Vladimir Putin also spoke of the use of nuclear weapons in his war against Ukraine.
“A large part of rhetoric is very disturbing,” said Holz. “There is this growing feeling that … a nation could end up using nuclear weapons, and it’s terrifying.”
Get national news
For news that has an impact on Canada and worldwide, register for the safeguarding of news alerts that are delivered to you directly when they occur.
From 1947, the advocacy group used a clock to symbolize the potential and even the probability that people do something to end humanity. After the end of the Cold War, he was also close to 17 minutes at midnight. In recent years, to approach rapid world changes, the group has spent the minutes until midnight to count the seconds.
The group said that the stopwatch could be back up if managers and nations were working together to combat existential risks.
& Copy 2025 the Canadian press
