The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists advanced their Doomsday Clock, which marks the possible countdown to global disaster, 30 seconds closer to its dreaded goal. The clock now marks two minutes to midnight, partially because of Donald Trump.
Donald Trump did not have to incur on any nuclear-related activity for this to happen. His naming as head of state seems to be enough for the Bulletin’s members to bring the clock’s hands further down.
However, climate change is also reason. People should remember that this clock is a metaphorical measure system that intends to raise awareness and does not imply that any real catastrophe might be near.
What is the Doomsday Clock?
The Doomsday Clock became established in 1947. It is the work of the scientists who participated in the Manhattan Project, the first research endeavor to produce nuclear weapons.
Shortly after World War Two, and the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, a group of researchers, called the Chicago Atomic Scientists, founded a journalistic bulletin depicting the Doomsday Clock.
The timepiece first stood at seven minutes to midnight, where 11:53 meant that the world was very close to its destruction because of nuclear threats. The metaphorical 12:00 will come if another world war happens, or a natural catastrophe wipes the entire human race.
Why is Donald Trump a reason to move the Doomsday Clock?
2017 marks the first time since 2015 that the clock moves downward. It also marks the first time the timepiece had signaled ‘two minutes’ since 1953 when both the U.S. and the Soviet Union developed and tested the first hydrogen bombs.
Some people believe that Donald Trump might represent a better chance of nuclear war than his predecessors. He has stated, via Twitter, that the United States need to “greatly strengthen and expand its nuclear capability.”
During his campaign, he mentioned nuclear weapons on many occasions, not denying that he would indeed use them. However, he has also stated that such a scenario, on his part, is “highly unlikely” to happen.
The new U.S. President does not believe in Climate Change
On the other hand, Trump (and his cabinet) is a known climate denier, which means that during his term, development of eco-friendly solutions, technologies, and legislation might stumble, which will probably result in greater carbon emissions and accelerated climate change, but decades from today.
It is very likely that Donald Trump’s presidential term might change the United States for the worst, at least in these two particular subjects, which is why the Bulletin’s members might want to put the clock down 30 seconds.
The U.S. is not only the birthplace of the Doomsday Clock, but it is also one of the most powerful armed forces in the world. Donald Trump was reckless during his campaign that might spell disaster in the coming years.