新奇事件簿 科学家称世界末日提前了30秒

Scientists from the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists (BPA) have said the end of the world has come a little closer in the past year. BPA scientists are experts on nuclear weapons, disarmament, the changing energy landscape, climate change, and emerging technologies. It is responsible for setting the Doomsday Clock, which was started in 1947 to symbolize¹ how close the world is to catastrophe². The BPA has just moved the clock's minute hand from three minutes to midnight to two-and-a-half minutes to midnight. This is the closest it has been to midnight (the Apocalypse) since 1953. Then, the minute hand was moved to two minutes to midnight after hydrogen bomb tests by the USA and Russia.

来自《原子科学家公报》(BPA)的科学家表示，过去的一年，世界末日提前了一点。BPA科学家都是核武器，裁军，能级相图，气候变化和新兴技术方面的专家。他们负责设置末日之钟，始于1947年，象征世界末日的时间。BPA刚刚把末日之钟的分针从距离午夜三分钟拨到距离午夜2.5分钟。这是自1953年以来距离午夜（世界末日）最近的时刻。1953年，美国和俄罗斯的氢弹测试之后，末日之钟的分针被移动到距离午夜2分钟的位置。

The BPA's latest report said President Donald Trump's recent statements on climate change, building nuclear weapons, immigration and terrorism have added to the global risk. The BPA warned that: "The probability of global catastrophe is very high, and the actions needed to reduce the risks of disaster must be taken very soon." BPA chief Dr Rachel Bronson called on people around the world to make sure their leaders do the right things for the world. She said: "I hope the debate [created] by the 2017 setting of the Clock raises the level of conversation, promotes calls to action, and helps citizens around the world hold their leaders responsible for delivering a safer and healthier planet."

BPA的最新报告表示，唐纳德·特朗普总统最近发表的关于气候变化，制造核武器，移民和恐怖主义的声明增加了全球风险。BPA警告称：“出现全球灾难的可能性非常高，必须迅速采取行动降低灾难风险。”BPA执行长布朗森(Rachel Bronson)呼吁世界人民确保他们的领导人为世界做正确的事情。她说：“我希望2017年末日之钟的争议能够促进对话，敦促人们采取行动，帮助世界各地的公民让国家元首承担起责任，打造更安全，更健康的地球。”

1 symbolize   

vt.作为...的象征，用符号代表

参考例句：

• Easter eggs symbolize the renewal of life.复活蛋象征新生。
• Dolphins symbolize the breath of life.海豚象征着生命的气息。

2 catastrophe   

n.大灾难，大祸

参考例句：

• I owe it to you that I survived the catastrophe.亏得你我才大难不死。
• This is a catastrophe beyond human control.这是一场人类无法控制的灾难。