In 1947 the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists created the Doomsday Clock to highlight the dangers posed by nuclear weapons and other existential threats. This clock is a symbolic representation of how close humanity is to a nuclear Armageddon, with midnight symbolizing doomsday. The clock’s hands are adjusted forward or backward based on factors such as nuclear proliferation, climate change, emerging technologies, and geopolitical tensions.
The clock, which was initially set at 7 minutes, was reset to 90 seconds to midnight in January 2024 due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Gaza conflict, and the climate crisis, exacerbated by 2023 being officially designated as the hottest year on record.
This symbolic representation serves not only as a universally recognized indicator of the world’s vulnerability to global catastrophe caused by manmade technologies but also as a reminder of the urgent need for action to address these threats and prevent a global catastrophe.
Is the Earth alive?
The knowledge of our own planet, the Earth, will allow us to improve our connection with it, to understand its power, and to establish the peace with nature that we need so much.