Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists
@thebulletin.org
The best thinking on existential threats since 1945. Nuclear risk, climate change, and disruptive technologies. We set the #DoomsdayClock. thebulletin.org
"The mechanisms have been identified that show how, in a worst-case scenario, life from a different tree of life could, over centuries, lead to an Earth populated only by microorganisms. The diversity of life that began with the Cambrian Explosion could end with an Anthropocene mass extinction." ⬇️
NASA and the European Space Agency plan to bring samples back from Mars. Could they harbor a type of life that scientists warn could trigger mass extinctions on Earth?
Read more from NASA mathematician Bill Taber. ⬇️
Read more from NASA mathematician Bill Taber. ⬇️
Black swans from the red planet—Could NASA bring back “mirror life” from Mars?
NASA and the European Space Agency plan to bring samples back from Mars. Could they harbor a type of life that scientists warn could trigger mass extinctions on Earth?
thebulletin.org
November 25, 2025 at 8:36 PM
"The mechanisms have been identified that show how, in a worst-case scenario, life from a different tree of life could, over centuries, lead to an Earth populated only by microorganisms. The diversity of life that began with the Cambrian Explosion could end with an Anthropocene mass extinction." ⬇️
This story was originally published by @insideclimatenews.org. It appears in the Bulletin as part of the @climatedesk.org collaboration.
November 25, 2025 at 2:44 PM
This story was originally published by @insideclimatenews.org. It appears in the Bulletin as part of the @climatedesk.org collaboration.
"After negotiators at COP30 retreated from meaningful climate action by failing to specifically mention the need to stop using fossil fuels in the final conference documents published Saturday," the disappointment inside the conference center was "pervasive," reports Bob Berwyn @bberwyn.bsky.social.
COP30 derided as 'the deadliest talk show ever'
Negotiators at COP30 retreated from meaningful climate action by failing to specifically mention the need to stop using fossil fuels in the final conference documents published Saturday.
thebulletin.org
November 25, 2025 at 2:44 PM
"After negotiators at COP30 retreated from meaningful climate action by failing to specifically mention the need to stop using fossil fuels in the final conference documents published Saturday," the disappointment inside the conference center was "pervasive," reports Bob Berwyn @bberwyn.bsky.social.
This look at COP30 quotes Matthew Huber's Bulletin piece on what would happen if Earth became too hot for animals.
"In the United States, just 3 degrees Celsius of warming conditions in simulations tend to be hotter—when humidity is factored in—than heat waves in North Africa today."
"In the United States, just 3 degrees Celsius of warming conditions in simulations tend to be hotter—when humidity is factored in—than heat waves in North Africa today."
November 24, 2025 at 10:15 PM
This look at COP30 quotes Matthew Huber's Bulletin piece on what would happen if Earth became too hot for animals.
"In the United States, just 3 degrees Celsius of warming conditions in simulations tend to be hotter—when humidity is factored in—than heat waves in North Africa today."
"In the United States, just 3 degrees Celsius of warming conditions in simulations tend to be hotter—when humidity is factored in—than heat waves in North Africa today."
NASA and the European Space Agency plan to bring samples back from Mars. Could they harbor a type of life that scientists warn could trigger mass extinctions on Earth?
Read more from NASA mathematician Bill Taber. ⬇️
Read more from NASA mathematician Bill Taber. ⬇️
Black swans from the red planet—Could NASA bring back “mirror life” from Mars?
NASA and the European Space Agency plan to bring samples back from Mars. Could they harbor a type of life that scientists warn could trigger mass extinctions on Earth?
thebulletin.org
November 24, 2025 at 3:12 PM
NASA and the European Space Agency plan to bring samples back from Mars. Could they harbor a type of life that scientists warn could trigger mass extinctions on Earth?
Read more from NASA mathematician Bill Taber. ⬇️
Read more from NASA mathematician Bill Taber. ⬇️
"Restoring a broadly held value in institutional truth and information accuracy should be the long-term vision. But until that time, the public and their leaders must learn the skills and tools necessary to shore up our resilience against forces that fuel chaos and disorder." — @andrewfacini.com
Post-truth disasters: We're not ready for nuclear war on social media
"Diminishing the practical capacity of the government and the reputational credibility of institutions responsible for rapid response can only evaporate trust and lead to citizens looking to alternative sources for critical information, even without the distortions present on social media platforms.
Unfortunately, this dangerous dynamic is only worsening as platforms feed users an ever-increasing amount of content generated by artificial intelligence services."
thebulletin.org
November 23, 2025 at 5:12 PM
"Restoring a broadly held value in institutional truth and information accuracy should be the long-term vision. But until that time, the public and their leaders must learn the skills and tools necessary to shore up our resilience against forces that fuel chaos and disorder." — @andrewfacini.com
"The reason that I say [Big Car is] an existential threat, and it still is, is that cars kill an exorbitant number of people. There's no other industry in the world that kills the number of people that cars do that are allowed to call it an 'accident.'" —David Obst
Since the invention of the car, somewhere between 54 and 69 million people have died in traffic crashes. And that's not even considering the effects of air pollution and car-related lead exposure.
@jessimckenzi.bsky.social interviews David Obst about his new book, "Saving Ourselves From Big Car."
@jessimckenzi.bsky.social interviews David Obst about his new book, "Saving Ourselves From Big Car."
How 'Big Car' poses an existential threat to humanity
While Big Car kills many of us quickly, it is killing more of us slowly, by polluting the environment, warming the Earth, sowing misinformation and doubt about climate…
thebulletin.org
November 21, 2025 at 9:58 PM
"The reason that I say [Big Car is] an existential threat, and it still is, is that cars kill an exorbitant number of people. There's no other industry in the world that kills the number of people that cars do that are allowed to call it an 'accident.'" —David Obst
Since the invention of the car, somewhere between 54 and 69 million people have died in traffic crashes. And that's not even considering the effects of air pollution and car-related lead exposure.
@jessimckenzi.bsky.social interviews David Obst about his new book, "Saving Ourselves From Big Car."
@jessimckenzi.bsky.social interviews David Obst about his new book, "Saving Ourselves From Big Car."
How 'Big Car' poses an existential threat to humanity
While Big Car kills many of us quickly, it is killing more of us slowly, by polluting the environment, warming the Earth, sowing misinformation and doubt about climate…
thebulletin.org
November 21, 2025 at 4:31 PM
Since the invention of the car, somewhere between 54 and 69 million people have died in traffic crashes. And that's not even considering the effects of air pollution and car-related lead exposure.
@jessimckenzi.bsky.social interviews David Obst about his new book, "Saving Ourselves From Big Car."
@jessimckenzi.bsky.social interviews David Obst about his new book, "Saving Ourselves From Big Car."
Reposted by Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists
Another thread from the TNW work I really wanted to pull on was the impact is the info environment: it turns out that how we process and prosecute crises is really important in the response to a tactical use scenario, and oops the info environment is unbelievably toxic today!
Risks of a serious crisis are rising. But for disaster response, the information environment has never been worse, writes @andrewfacini.com of @councilonstrategicrisks.org.
Post-truth disasters: We're not ready for nuclear war on social media
"Diminishing the practical capacity of the government and the reputational credibility of institutions responsible for rapid response can only evaporate trust and lead to citizens looking to alternative sources for critical information, even without the distortions present on social media platforms.
Unfortunately, this dangerous dynamic is only worsening as platforms feed users an ever-increasing amount of content generated by artificial intelligence services."
thebulletin.org
November 20, 2025 at 4:56 PM
Another thread from the TNW work I really wanted to pull on was the impact is the info environment: it turns out that how we process and prosecute crises is really important in the response to a tactical use scenario, and oops the info environment is unbelievably toxic today!
From Camden to Chernobyl, Holtec International's track record raises a question: can the firm be trusted with the future of nuclear energy?
A new Bulletin investigation by journalist Matt Smith. ⬇️
A new Bulletin investigation by journalist Matt Smith. ⬇️
How Holtec International became an expanding (and controversial) nuclear power
Holtec now controls the fate of multiple nuclear power plants across the United States—and "plans to go public in a planned stock offering that Singh told Barron’s could value his company at $10 billion."
thebulletin.org
November 20, 2025 at 4:38 PM
From Camden to Chernobyl, Holtec International's track record raises a question: can the firm be trusted with the future of nuclear energy?
A new Bulletin investigation by journalist Matt Smith. ⬇️
A new Bulletin investigation by journalist Matt Smith. ⬇️
This summer Kronos participated in and performed at the Nobel Laureate Assembly for the Prevention of Nuclear War.
You can watch the full concert below.
You can watch the full concert below.
Kronos Quartet, Full Concert — Nobel Laureate Assembly Declaration for the Prevention of Nuclear War
Closing out the Nobel Laureate Assembly for the Prevention of Nuclear War, the Kronos Quartet along with a special guest Allison Russell invited attendees to reflect on the past, present, and future…
youtu.be
November 19, 2025 at 7:08 PM
This summer Kronos participated in and performed at the Nobel Laureate Assembly for the Prevention of Nuclear War.
You can watch the full concert below.
You can watch the full concert below.
The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists is proud to announce the appointment of Kronos Quartet as its first ever Doomsday Clock Artist-in-Residence.
Learn more below. ⬇️
Learn more below. ⬇️
The Bulletin welcomes Kronos Quartet as its inaugural Artist-in-Residence
The Kronos Quartet, which has challenged and reimagined what a string quartet can be for over 50 years, will be the first ever Doomsday Clock Artist-in-Resident at the Bulletin.
thebulletin.org
November 19, 2025 at 7:08 PM
The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists is proud to announce the appointment of Kronos Quartet as its first ever Doomsday Clock Artist-in-Residence.
Learn more below. ⬇️
Learn more below. ⬇️
Risks of a serious crisis are rising. But for disaster response, the information environment has never been worse, writes @andrewfacini.com of @councilonstrategicrisks.org.
Post-truth disasters: We're not ready for nuclear war on social media
"Diminishing the practical capacity of the government and the reputational credibility of institutions responsible for rapid response can only evaporate trust and lead to citizens looking to alternative sources for critical information, even without the distortions present on social media platforms.
Unfortunately, this dangerous dynamic is only worsening as platforms feed users an ever-increasing amount of content generated by artificial intelligence services."
thebulletin.org
November 19, 2025 at 2:48 PM
Risks of a serious crisis are rising. But for disaster response, the information environment has never been worse, writes @andrewfacini.com of @councilonstrategicrisks.org.
In case you missed it: "How the United States achieved its de facto nuclear test ban—and how to preserve it." ⬇️
How the United States achieved its de facto nuclear test ban—and how to preserve it
Citizen activism and legislative pressures helped stop US nuclear weapon testing. They will be needed again to protect the moratorium against Trump's call for renewed testing.
thebulletin.org
November 19, 2025 at 1:30 PM
In case you missed it: "How the United States achieved its de facto nuclear test ban—and how to preserve it." ⬇️
At the @outrider.org Nuclear Reporting Summit this October, Bulletin editor François Diaz-Maurin @francoisdm.bsky.social spoke on a panel discussing how to find unexpected stories on the nuclear beat, whether that’s in tech, policy, AI, space, or the community impacts of nuclear policy. ⬇️
Asking the Right Questions: Overlooked Nuclear Stories
The landscape of news related to nuclear issues is vast and deep, and too much gets missed. Here, our panelists discuss finding unexpected and overlooked stories, whether that’s in nuclear…
www.youtube.com
November 16, 2025 at 6:27 PM
At the @outrider.org Nuclear Reporting Summit this October, Bulletin editor François Diaz-Maurin @francoisdm.bsky.social spoke on a panel discussing how to find unexpected stories on the nuclear beat, whether that’s in tech, policy, AI, space, or the community impacts of nuclear policy. ⬇️
In case you missed it: "The 'Zapad' exercise and how Lukashenko learned to love the Bomb." ⬇️
The 'Zapad' exercise and how Lukashenko learned to love the Bomb
The sudden change in public rhetoric about this year's Zapad strategic military exercise suggests that the Russia-Belarus relationship may be more complicated than expected.
thebulletin.org
November 15, 2025 at 5:16 PM
In case you missed it: "The 'Zapad' exercise and how Lukashenko learned to love the Bomb." ⬇️
The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission may soon loosen radiation exposure safety standards at nuclear plants and operations. Experts warn the general public would be unsafe.
@lesleymmblume.bsky.social and @chloeshrager.bsky.social report below.
@lesleymmblume.bsky.social and @chloeshrager.bsky.social report below.
Trump's new radiation exposure limits could be 'catastrophic' for women and girls
“It’s an attack on the science and the policy behind radiation protection of people and the environment that has been in place for decades,” says radiologist Kimberly Applegate, a former chair of the radiological protection in medicine committee of the International Commission on Radiological Protection.
thebulletin.org
November 14, 2025 at 5:17 PM
The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission may soon loosen radiation exposure safety standards at nuclear plants and operations. Experts warn the general public would be unsafe.
@lesleymmblume.bsky.social and @chloeshrager.bsky.social report below.
@lesleymmblume.bsky.social and @chloeshrager.bsky.social report below.
Reposted by Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists
See also this 2024 article by Robert Alvarez in @thebulletin.org about the long but ultimately successful effort to seek justice for Karen Silkwood.
The death of Karen Silkwood—and the plutonium economy
A longtime nuclear expert recounts the efforts he and his wife, Kitty Tucker, made in seeking justice for Karen Silkwood, a union activist at a plutonium fuel fabrication plant whose mysterious death ...
thebulletin.org
November 13, 2025 at 4:53 PM
See also this 2024 article by Robert Alvarez in @thebulletin.org about the long but ultimately successful effort to seek justice for Karen Silkwood.
Reposted by Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists
This is truly excellent.
What would happen if Chicago were the target of a nuclear bomb?
Jeffrey Lewis @armscontrolwonk.bsky.social spoke to the Bulletin about what people should know about nuclear weapons—from basic terminology, to which nations have them, and what could occur when they're used.
Jeffrey Lewis @armscontrolwonk.bsky.social spoke to the Bulletin about what people should know about nuclear weapons—from basic terminology, to which nations have them, and what could occur when they're used.
What you should know about nuclear weapons
On October 29th, Donald Trump announced on his social media site, Truth Social, that he had instructed the Department of War (formerly the Department of Defense) to “start testing our Nuclear Weapons…
youtu.be
November 10, 2025 at 7:32 PM
This is truly excellent.
Reposted by Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists
Can Latin America find common ground at #COP30? One of region's greatest challenges is to contest global environmental narrative—historically defined by Europe; food production sector offers best ground for joint action, says Columbia Climate School's @wbaethgen.bsky.social. Via @thebulletin.org.
Can Latin America find common ground at COP30?
Although Latin America contributes only about 10 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, many of its territories rank among the most climate-vulnerable on the planet.
thebulletin.org
November 12, 2025 at 3:44 PM
Can Latin America find common ground at #COP30? One of region's greatest challenges is to contest global environmental narrative—historically defined by Europe; food production sector offers best ground for joint action, says Columbia Climate School's @wbaethgen.bsky.social. Via @thebulletin.org.
Citizen activism and legislative pressures helped stop US nuclear weapon testing. They will be needed again to protect the moratorium against Trump's call for renewed testing, writes David Cortright of the Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies at @notredame.bsky.social.
How the United States achieved its de facto nuclear test ban—and how to preserve it
Citizen activism and legislative pressures helped stop US nuclear weapon testing. They will be needed again to protect the moratorium against Trump's call for renewed testing.
thebulletin.org
November 12, 2025 at 4:10 PM
Citizen activism and legislative pressures helped stop US nuclear weapon testing. They will be needed again to protect the moratorium against Trump's call for renewed testing, writes David Cortright of the Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies at @notredame.bsky.social.
From the "Ice Age waltz" to the "fast greenhouse tango," Earth's ever-fluctuating climate "now follows our lead," write Benjamin Santer and David W.J. Thompson of @uniofeastanglia.bsky.social.
It's dangerous to normalize aberrations in the climate record, they continue, just as it is for politics.
It's dangerous to normalize aberrations in the climate record, they continue, just as it is for politics.
The comforting but dangerous fantasy of ‘normal’ climatic and political aberrations
"We can’t let mature science be drowned out by the wacky argument that a snowball on the floor of the US Senate invalidates the existence of human-caused climate change."
thebulletin.org
November 11, 2025 at 4:26 PM
From the "Ice Age waltz" to the "fast greenhouse tango," Earth's ever-fluctuating climate "now follows our lead," write Benjamin Santer and David W.J. Thompson of @uniofeastanglia.bsky.social.
It's dangerous to normalize aberrations in the climate record, they continue, just as it is for politics.
It's dangerous to normalize aberrations in the climate record, they continue, just as it is for politics.
Interview and video by Bulletin multimedia editor @erik-english.bsky.social.
November 10, 2025 at 7:17 PM
Interview and video by Bulletin multimedia editor @erik-english.bsky.social.
What would happen if Chicago were the target of a nuclear bomb?
Jeffrey Lewis @armscontrolwonk.bsky.social spoke to the Bulletin about what people should know about nuclear weapons—from basic terminology, to which nations have them, and what could occur when they're used.
Jeffrey Lewis @armscontrolwonk.bsky.social spoke to the Bulletin about what people should know about nuclear weapons—from basic terminology, to which nations have them, and what could occur when they're used.
What you should know about nuclear weapons
On October 29th, Donald Trump announced on his social media site, Truth Social, that he had instructed the Department of War (formerly the Department of Defense) to “start testing our Nuclear Weapons…
youtu.be
November 10, 2025 at 7:17 PM
What would happen if Chicago were the target of a nuclear bomb?
Jeffrey Lewis @armscontrolwonk.bsky.social spoke to the Bulletin about what people should know about nuclear weapons—from basic terminology, to which nations have them, and what could occur when they're used.
Jeffrey Lewis @armscontrolwonk.bsky.social spoke to the Bulletin about what people should know about nuclear weapons—from basic terminology, to which nations have them, and what could occur when they're used.