Atomic Scientists Keep “Doomsday Clock” at 90 Seconds to Midnight, Citing Nuclear Weapons, Climate Change, and AI Risks
Washington, D.C. (February 2024)
In a chilling announcement, the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists declared on Tuesday that the symbolic “Doomsday Clock” will remain at 90 seconds to midnight, the closest it has ever been to signaling a global catastrophe. This decision reflects the escalating nuclear tensions between Russia and the West, the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, and the worsening climate crisis.
Existential Threats to Earth and Humanity
The Atomic Scientists’ decision to maintain the Doomsday Clock at a critical level underscores the heightened risks posed by nuclear weapons, climate change, and emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and biotechnology. These existential threats have the potential to cause irreversible damage to Earth and its inhabitants.
Russia-Ukraine Conflict and Nuclear Escalation
The ongoing conflict in Ukraine, with Russia’s large-scale invasion reaching its second anniversary, has exacerbated tensions between Russia and the West, bringing them to their most dangerous levels since the Cold War. The possibility of nuclear escalation remains a serious concern, given Russia’s continued nuclear saber-rattling.
Rachel Bronson, President and CEO of the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, highlighted the grave situation, stating, “A durable end to Russia’s war in Ukraine seems distant, and the use of nuclear weapons by Russia in that conflict remains a serious possibility. In the past year, Russia has sent numerous worrying nuclear signals.”
Russia’s Nuclear Actions and Rhetoric
Bronson specifically pointed to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s decisions in February 2023 to suspend Russia’s participation in the New START treaty with the United States, which limits strategic nuclear arsenals. The United States and Russia possess nearly 90% of the world’s nuclear warheads, enough to cause global devastation.
Additionally, Bronson mentioned Putin’s announcement in March 2023 regarding the deployment of tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus and the Russian parliament’s passage of a law in October 2023, withdrawing ratification of the global treaty banning nuclear weapons tests.
Israel-Hamas Conflict and Regional Escalation
The Bulletin also expressed concern about the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, which has resulted in significant casualties on both sides. Bronson emphasized that Israel’s actions as a nuclear state are relevant to the Doomsday Clock discussion, particularly due to the risk of escalation into a larger conventional war, potentially involving other nuclear or near-nuclear powers.
Climate Change and Record-Breaking Temperatures
Climate change remains a pressing existential threat, as evidenced by the record-breaking temperatures and greenhouse gas emissions in 2023. The world experienced its hottest year on record, with global and North Atlantic sea-surface temperatures reaching unprecedented levels. Antarctic sea ice also reached its lowest daily extent since satellite data became available.
Clean Energy Investments and Fossil Fuel Offsets
While the Bulletin acknowledged the record-breaking investments in clean energy in 2023, amounting to $1.7 trillion, it also noted the substantial fossil fuel investments of nearly $1 trillion. This highlights the need for more comprehensive and urgent action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the devastating impacts of climate change.
The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists and its History
The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, founded in 1945 by Albert Einstein and J. Robert Oppenheimer, annually sets the Doomsday Clock, relying on a board of experts on nuclear technology and climate science. The clock, first unveiled during the Cold War tensions after World War II, serves as a symbolic representation of the proximity to a global catastrophe.
Conclusion: A Call to Action
The Bulletin’s decision to keep the Doomsday Clock at 90 seconds to midnight is a stark reminder of the perilous state of the world. It emphasizes the urgent need for international cooperation, diplomacy, and decisive action to address the existential threats posed by nuclear weapons, climate change, and disruptive technologies. The future of humanity depends on our collective ability to mitigate these risks and ensure a safer and more sustainable world for generations to come.