Humankind is the closest we have ever been to nuclear catastrophe. The Doomsday Clock symbolizes how close humans are to destroying our planet. As of January this year the Doomsday Clock, set by the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists’ Science and
Security Board (SASB), is currently set to 85 seconds before midnight. Midnight is the time Earth becomes uninhabitable. Since the Cold War, the United States and Russia have dismantled more than 50,000 nuclear warheads, but 15,000 of these weapons still exist.
The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists’ Science and Security Board has called for urgent action to limit nuclear arsenals, create international guidelines on the use of AI, and form multilateral agreements to address global biological threats.
Dr. Ira Helfand is speaking Saturday, July 11 between 2-4pm at the Unitarian Universalist Church at 93 West Weisheimer Road in Columbus, hosted by the Columbus Free Press at their Second Saturday Salon. The salon’s theme is “Back from the Brink: Addressing the growing threat of nuclear war.”
Ira Helfand represents the national organization “Back from the Brink” that is spreading the message around the country that there are tangible steps the nation can take right now to reform our nuclear weapons policy and reduce the threat of nuclear war. Helfand is a Harvard-educated physician, co-founder and past President of Physicians for Social Responsibility. And founder the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons. Both groups were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
The July 11 event is free and open to the public. In addition to Helfand’s presentation, the salon will include local activist singer Bill Cohen and announcements by local environmental groups. Sponsors include the First Unitarian Universalist Church, WGRN 91.9FM community radio, Simply Living, the Ohio Nuclear Free Network, the Columbus Peace and Justice Newsletter and No Ohio Anduril Plant.