The Doomsday Clock now reads 89 seconds to midnight, marking the closest humanity has ever been to global catastrophe. But what exactly is the Doomsday Clock?
What Is the Doomsday Clock?
Launched by the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists in the late 1940s, the Doomsday Clock is a metaphorical warning about the dangers threatening humanity. Midnight symbolizes the point of no return—global annihilation.
Initially conceived to highlight the risks of nuclear war after Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the clock has since expanded its scope to include threats like climate change, technological misuse, and geopolitical instability.
A panel of experts, including scientists, academics, and Nobel laureates, evaluates global risks annually to adjust the clock’s time.
Why Was It Moved Forward?
The recent shift to 89 seconds reflects mounting concerns about nuclear conflict, climate change, and the misuse of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence.
- Nuclear Threats: The ongoing war in Ukraine, paired with President Putin’s lowered threshold for atomic strikes and Russia’s withdrawal from key arms control agreements, has intensified global fears.
- Climate Crisis: Last year was the hottest on record, and the last decade has been the warmest in history despite progress in renewable energy.
- AI Concerns: Scientists warn that AI disrupts the global information ecosystem and could be weaponized, increasing instability.
Daniel Holz, chair of the Bulletin’s Science and Security Board, emphasized, “Setting the clock at 89 seconds is a wake-up call to world leaders.”
A History of Warnings
When the clock debuted in 1947, it was seven minutes to midnight. Over the years, the hands have moved closer or further, reflecting humanity’s fluctuating fortunes.
- The safest point was 14 minutes to midnight in 1995, following the Cold War’s end.
- In contrast, 2020 shifted from 100 seconds to midnight amid COVID-19 and escalating tensions.
Today, the clock underscores our unprecedented challenges, urging action before it’s too late.
The message is clear: humanity must prioritize peace, sustainability, and responsible technology use to avoid ticking closer to disaster.
