THE Doomsday Clock being edged forward must spark “concrete action on nuclear disarmament” across the world, campaigners have said.
The clock – which symbolises how near humanity is to destruction – has been moved one second forward to 89 seconds to midnight, which is the closest it has ever been.
The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists (BAS) - which sets the clock annually - said nuclear threats, potential misuses of advances in biology and artificial intelligence, as well as climate change, were the key factors.
Daniel Holz, chair of the Bulletin's Science and Security Board, said the latest move was "a warning to all world leaders".
Samuel Rafanell-Williams, communications officer for the Scottish Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, said this statement from BAS must be treated as a global call for action to address “the gravest threats to humanity”.
He went on: “Foremost amongst these is the threat of nuclear conflict, which is nearer now than any time since the height of the Cold War, largely because of Russia's nuclear posturing in Ukraine.
“Somewhat surprisingly, both the Kremlin and the new US administration have recently expressed willingness to engage in denuclearisation talks. It is imperative that these statements are matched with concrete action on disarmament.
“The New START agreement between the two countries, which limits nuclear-capable missile deployment, is due to expire in 2026. This treaty should be renewed to curb both Russian and US deployments, and negotiations should further include measures to accelerate the dismantling of nuclear warheads, a process which has slowed dramatically in recent years.”
Isobel Lindsay, vice chair of Scottish CND, said the speed of technology advances in hypersonic missiles has increased nuclear risks.
She told The National: “The Bulletin's Science and Technology Board are distinguished experts in their field. They do not lightly say that the nuclear risks to our world have increased.
“The rapidity of the technological advances in hypersonic missiles has made the risk of errors of judgement even greater.
“Scotland is one of the nations on the front-line. We have over 200 nuclear bombs based at Faslane/Coulport and we are a top target. Instead of huge resources being spent on weapons that could destroy human civilisation, Scotland could use its resources to become a leader in creating a low-carbon economy with all the jobs this can create.
“Let's take the target off our back.”
The clock was originally placed at seven minutes to midnight in 1947. Last year, it was left unchanged at 90 seconds.
In a statement, the BAS - a Chicago-based non-profit organisation – said a move of even a single second in the clock should be taken as an indication of “extreme danger”.
It said: "In setting the clock one second closer to midnight, we send a stark signal.
“Because the world is already perilously close to the precipice, a move of even a single second should be taken as an indication of extreme danger and an unmistakable warning that every second of delay in reversing course increases the probability of global disaster."
It warned that the continuing war in Ukraine - now nearing a three-year mark since Russia's full-scale invasion - "could become nuclear at any moment because of a rash decision or through accident or miscalculation".
The panel of scientists also said that "the long-term prognosis for the world's attempts to deal with climate change remains poor, as most governments fail to enact the financing and policy initiatives necessary to halt global warming."
