Would human extinction be such a bad thing? The Doomsday Clock, a symbolic timepiece counting down to the end of the world, now sits at only 90 seconds to midnight.
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Doomsday clock ticks closer to midnight
Would human extinction be such a bad thing? The Doomsday Clock, a symbolic timepiece counting down to the end of the world, now sits at only 90 seconds to midnight.
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What's happening?
"It's the end of the world as we know it. And I feel fine!" This is what the American band R.E.M. sang in 1987. It was during the Cold WarA period of diplomatic conflict between blocs led by the USA and the USSR that lasted from 1947 until 1991, when the USSR collapsed., and people were worried about nuclear war.
Today, the idea still worries many people. Earlier this year, scientists moved the timing of the Doomsday ClockA symbolic timepiece showing how close the world is to ending. If the clock reached midnight, it would mean annihilation. Every year, scientists adjust the time. , a symbol of how close we are to midnight - or the end of the world. It is now only 90 seconds to midnight.
The Doomsday Clock is about the end of the world, but today some people argue that if humans one day died out, it might not be such a bad thing.
Some point out that over time, humans have hurt nature and caused climate changeLong-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns. Human action is a major cause of climate change. and lots of pollutionWhen harmful or dangerous things are put into the environment. . If humans did not exist, more animals may survive and the planet may exist as it does today for longer.
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But others argue that humans have created great beauty too. Humans make art, music, paintings and poetry. We have learned about the world and how it works for thousands of years. If humans no longer existed, all of that knowledgeFacts and skills gained by learning about something. would be lost.
Yes! Humans have done amazing things. Imagine a world without art and music and poems!
No! Humans have hurt the Earth. Other animals may find the planet a better place to live without any humans.
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Would human extinction be such a bad thing?
Keywords
Cold War - A period of diplomatic conflict between blocs led by the USA and the USSR that lasted from 1947 until 1991, when the USSR collapsed.
Doomsday Clock - A symbolic timepiece showing how close the world is to ending. If the clock reached midnight, it would mean annihilation. Every year, scientists adjust the time.
Climate change - Long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns. Human action is a major cause of climate change.
Pollution - When harmful or dangerous things are put into the environment.
Knowledge - Facts and skills gained by learning about something.
Doomsday clock ticks closer to midnight
From the ashes: Life on Earth may flourish without human interference, some argue. Glossary
Cold War - A period of diplomatic conflict between blocs led by the USA and the USSR that lasted from 1947 until 1991, when the USSR collapsed.
Doomsday Clock - A symbolic timepiece showing how close the world is to ending. If the clock reached midnight, it would mean annihilation. Every year, scientists adjust the time.
Climate change - Long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns. Human action is a major cause of climate change.
Pollution - When harmful or dangerous things are put into the environment.
Knowledge - Facts and skills gained by learning about something.