UNFOLD ZERO Newsletter
Posted: 27th January 2023
The Bulletin of Atomic Scientists today set the hands of the Doomsday Clock to 90 Seconds to Midnight. This is even closer than last year to possible global catastrophe from nuclear war, climate collapse or other existential threat.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the increased risk of nuclear escalation were key reasons for the new Clock time. However, the new move to 90 seconds was also influenced by the climate crisis and the breakdown of global norms and institutions needed to mitigate risks associated with advancing technologies and biological threats such as COVID-19.
Doomsday Clock an alarm for humanity
“The Doomsday Clock is sounding an alarm for the whole of humanity. We are on the brink of a precipice. But our leaders are not acting at sufficient speed or scale to secure a peaceful and liveable planet. From cutting carbon emissions to strengthening arms control treaties and investing in pandemic preparedness, we know what needs to be done. The science is clear, but the political will is lacking. This must change in 2023 if we are to avert catastrophe. We are facing multiple, existential crises. Leaders need a crisis mindset.”
Mary Robinson, Chair of The Elders and former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. Speaker at the announcement of the Doomsday Clock, January 24, 2023.
“The Doomsday Clock is sounding an alarm for the whole of humanity. We are on the brink of a precipice. But our leaders are not acting at sufficient speed or scale to secure a peaceful and liveable planet. From cutting carbon emissions to strengthening arms control treaties and investing in pandemic preparedness, we know what needs to be done. The science is clear, but the political will is lacking. This must change in 2023 if we are to avert catastrophe. We are facing multiple, existential crises. Leaders need a crisis mindset.”
Mary Robinson, Chair of The Elders and former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. Speaker at the announcement of the Doomsday Clock, January 24, 2023.
Take action to roll back the clock
There are many ways that you can take action to reduce the risk of nuclear war, encourage faster phase out of fossil fuels and support peace, public health and better global governance. Here are a few:
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Endorse: Protect People and the Planet: Appeal for a Nuclear-Weapon-Free World:
The appeal Protect People and the Planet advances practical measures to reduce the threat of nuclear war and realistic approaches to achieve a nuclear weapon free world. It also calls for budgets and investments in the nuclear weapons industry to be shifted to address public health and climate change. (Check here to see who has already endorsed. Click here to see quotes from endorsers).
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Join the Global Futures Forum (Hybrid, Mar 20-21)
The Global Futures Forum is a major civil society event feeding into the New UN Agenda for Peace (currently being prepared), the UN Sustainable Development Summit (Sep 2023) and the UN Summit of the Future (2024). Nuclear disarmament, climate protection and war prevention are key issues for these high-level events and processes.
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Support the campaign to take climate change to the International Court of Justice (ICJ):
Governments are not doing enough to prevent the slide towards climate collapse. Led by World’s Youth for Climate Justice, this campaign calls on the ICJ to affirm strong legal obligations for climate protection and to address impacts already being experienced from climate change. 18 Countries have taken up the call, led by Vanuatu, and have circulated a draft UN General Assembly Resolution to take the case to the ICJ.
Yours sincerelyUNFOLD ZERO