Gallery: Doomsday Clock: 7 UN Keys to Stop the Countdown
The news that the doomsday clock stands at 90 seconds to midnight has shocked the world. Although it is a symbolic clock, it is the reflection of a present time with deep crises.
Photo: AFP
LatinAmerican Post | María Fernanda Ramírez Ramos
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Leer en español: Galería: Reloj del apocalipsis: 7 claves de la ONU para detener la cuenta regresiva
90 seconds to the end of the world: The Doomsday Clock figure is terrifying. It is a symbolic clock created by a series of scientists who analyze the world situation and determine in what state of emergency humanity is. We are in one of the most difficult moments since this clock has existed: Wars, climate change, pollution, proliferation of nuclear weapons; Biological threats, humanitarian tragedies and growing misinformation are fueling the hands of this clock to move ever closer to midnight.
However, as always in the face of threats and alerts, there is a capacity for action to improve the situation. For this reason, António Guterres, Secretary General of the United Nations, disclosed the seven strategic priorities with which the UN will work in 2023. These are a series of recommendations from this institution for world leaders to work on current global priorities and so the Clock of the Apocalypse or the end of the world is stopped or delayed.
“A month ago, we turned the calendar around and started a new year. But just a few days ago, another clock started ticking: the so-called Doomsday Clock. This symbolic clock was created 75 years ago by atomic scientists, including Albert Einstein (…) At this moment, it marks 90 seconds to midnight, that is, the total world catastrophe. It is the closest that (this Clock) has ever been to humanity's darkest hour, even closer than during the height of the Cold War". Guterres said in his speech at the beginning of the year, as reported in an official statement from the UN.
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All these actions indicated by the UN mark a path to solve many of the current challenges. However, political commitment is essential. Likewise, the private sector, which every day has more power on the international stage, must commit to contributing to achieve the solutions that humanity needs. In this regard, António Guterres also pointed out that a perspective that plans long-term changes is necessary. "This short-term thinking is not only profoundly irresponsible, but immoral… and counterproductive", the Secretary-General said.
