Following Donald Trump’s inauguration and recent comments on nuclear weapons the infamous Doomsday Clock moved to the closest it has been to midnight since 1953. The idea of the Doomsday clock is that it moves closer to midnight the more vulnerable the world is to global destruction. The clock is kept up to date by The Bulletin of the Atomic Science and Security Board and was founded in 1947 by the University of Chicago.

Trump’s statements about a nuclear arms race raises worry for many Americans, “Let it be an arms race. We will outmatch them at every pass and outlast them all.”  This statement came on a morning talk show where Trump was interviewed.  In addition to scientist’s fears over these comments, The Bulletin also stated that Trump and his administration don’t believe in the scientific consensus over climate change.  Trump’s views on climate change have caused a lot of conversation as his views do not coincide with the scientific community.  The Trump administration has already moved the climate change page from the EPA’s website.

Trump and his administration are bound to make more decisions that will result in protest and controversy and could cause significant changes in the United States as a whole.  The scientific community does not take changing the clock lightly, as a lot of time and thought go into their decision.  The Doomsday Clock is reliable in that a committee of educated scientists work together to make their decision.  As 2017 unwinds, it will be interesting to see if any more changes will occur in the Doomsday Clock.