The Doomsday Clock is set to two minutes from midnight, which is the closest it has been to the apocalypse since 1953. The ominous doomsday countdown symbolically represents humanity’s race towards extinction. When the clock strikes midnight, scientists around the globe will agree humanity has sealed its faith in doom. Today, the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientist will update the clock with its first apocalyptic forecast for the future, since January 25, 2018.
The bulletin’s scientist will reveal to the public whether conditions around the globe have pushed the clock forward, backwards or if the hand will remain still.
The Doomsday Clock update will be broadcast to the world live from Washington DC, US, today at 3pm GMT (10am EST).
Follow Express.co.uk an hour before broadcast to see the Doomsday Clock announcement live.
The update comes after the bulletin moved the clock’s hand forward by 30 seconds last year.
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This year, the key questions concern the developments in nuclear weaponry, climate change and technology.
The bulletin said in a statement: “In January 2018, the Doomsday Clock’s minute hand was set forward by 30 seconds, to two minutes before midnight, the closest it has been to apocalypse since 1953 in the early years of the Cold War.
“The Doomsday Clock’s movement in 2018 was influenced in large part by the failure of world leaders to respond effectively to the looming threats of nuclear war and climate change.
“Previously, the Clock was moved from three minutes to midnight to two and a half minutes to midnight in January 2017.
“Now, the question is whether or not circumstances have improved sufficiently to start moving the minute hand away from midnight.”
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In 2018, the clock was pushed forward citing geopolitical tension in the Korean Peninsula and the South China Sea.
Another major factor which influenced the decision was the stockpiling of nuclear weapons by India and China.
The bulletin also took into consideration the growing threat of climate change and lack of adequate steps taken to prevent global warming.
Rachel Bronson, president and CEO of the bulletin, said: “It is urgent that, collectively, we put in the work necessary to produce a 2019 Clock statement that rewinds the Doomsday Clock.
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“Get engaged, get involved, and help create that future. The time is now.”
Since its inception in 1947, the Doomsday Clock has been updated 25 times.
The first Doomsday Clock placed the minute hand at seven minutes to midnight.
The clock then came closest to midnight in 1953 and 2018 when its struck at 11.58pm.