In setting the Clock one second closer to midnight, the Science and Security Board sends a stark signal: Because the world is already perilously close to the precipice, a move of even a single second should be taken as an indication of extreme danger and an unmistakable warning that every second of delay in reversing course increases the probability of global disaster.

It is no surprise that the clock has been moved nearer to Doomsday. Lets hope that the world will heed this news. At the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists presentation, experts from the disciplines of science and diplomacy were clear that the risks arising from the climate crisis are inextricably linked to the very real possibility of nuclear weapons use or accident, with the inevitable destruction of the known environment and human occupation of it within a very short time as the only end result. With this very urgent and real danger, nuclear weapons elimination is the only sane response, and the Third Meeting of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) takes place at the UN headquarters in March, providing a clear route towards prohibition leading to elimination. Around half of the UN Member States have made the terms of the TPNW binding within their own jurisdiction, and will be represented at the UN meeting in New York. All the UN member states are invited to attend as participants or as observers who can offer evidence, but the UK shamefully refuses to join the discussions even as an observer. This intransigence and refusal to send a delegation means that the UK Government will not be able to properly contribute to the disarmament process which the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty commits them to. Once again, Scotland, where all their nuclear weapons are deployed will have to rely on our devolved parliament and civil society delegation if our voices are to be heard even on the fringes of the negotiations. Despite a clearly expressed position on this topic, our scientists, academics and politicians are denied representation to a treaty process which could rid Scotland, and the world of this imminent risk.