Doomsday moves a little closer

Prof Robert Socolow, an expert in energy technology, with the time on the Doomsday Clock (AFP/Getty Images)

For those who followed the natural disasters, nuclear meltdown and financial collapses of last year, it may not come as much of a surprise that the apocalypse is now one minute closer according to the Doomsday Clock, a symbolic measure which counts down to Armageddon.

The minute-hand on the 64-year-old concept clock has edged forward to show that "inadequate progress" has been made on containing the global threat posed by nuclear weapons and climate change, scientists say. It now shows five minutes to midnight (the zero hour).

"Two years ago it appeared that world leaders might address the truly global threats we face. In many cases, that trend has not continued or been reversed," the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists (BAS), which announced the move, said. The BAS said it found the current potential for nuclear conflict in the Middle East, north-east Asia and south Asia alarming.