The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists has moved the Doomsday Clock to its closest point ever to midnight, symbolizing the heightened risk of global catastrophe due to nuclear tensions, climate change, pandemics, and the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence.
The Doomsday Clock , a symbolic measure of humanity's proximity to catastrophic destruction, has been set at 89 seconds to midnight—the closest it has ever been, symbolizing humanity's shortest margin from potential catastrophe since the clock's creation. The decision, announced by the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists on January 28, reflects escalating global threats, including nuclear tensions, climate change , infectious diseases, and unregulated advancements in artificial intelligence.
\The Doomsday Clock is a metaphorical representation of how close humanity is to self-destruction. Created in 1947 by artist Martyl Langsdorf for the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, it was inspired by discussions among scientists who had worked on the Manhattan Project and were concerned about the urgent need to control nuclear weapons. The clock uses the imagery of a countdown to midnight to convey the urgency of threats such as nuclear war, climate change, biological risks, and disruptive technologies. Each year, the Bulletin's Science and Security Board, in consultation with Nobel laureates, determines the clock's time. 'The Doomsday Clock is about urgency, not fear,' Rachel Bronson, president of the Bulletin, previously told Newsweek. 'The design is a metaphor that warns the public about how close we are to destroying our world with dangerous technologies of our own making.'\When first introduced, the clock was set at seven minutes to midnight. Over the decades, it has been adjusted 25 times, reflecting the fluctuating levels of global danger. During the Cold War in 1991, the clock was set 17 minutes from midnight—the farthest it has ever been. Conversely, 2025's setting at 89 seconds to midnight marks its closest approach. As Daniel Holz, chair of the Bulletin's Science and Security Board, explained during the 2025 announcement, 'The world has not made sufficient progress on existential risks threatening all of humanity.' The new time underscores the severe risks of global instability and scientific advancements. Holz emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, 'When we set the clock closer to midnight, we send a stark signal. Because the world is already perilously close to the precipice, any move toward midnight should be taken as an indication of extreme danger and an unmistakable warning.' The current setting reflects the compounded effects of geopolitical conflicts such as the Russia-Ukraine war, growing nuclear stockpiles, climate inaction and advancements in artificial intelligence being used in military applications. What Happens When The Doomsday Clock Hits Midnight? Midnight on the Doomsday Clock symbolizes global catastrophe, such as nuclear war or environmental collapse. It is not meant to predict a specific event but to highlight existing risks' severity and potential consequences. In the words of the Bulletin, 'Midnight represents the end of civilization as we know it.' Holz has described the metaphorical meaning of the clock, emphasizing the need for immediate action to reverse these trends. 'When you are at this precipice, the one thing you don't want to do is take a step forward,' he warned.
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