The Doomsday Clock has been set to a record-low 85 seconds to midnight by the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, signaling humanity is closer than ever to destruction due to escalating global aggression, nuclear threats, climate change, and unchecked AI.
The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists announced that the Earth is closer than it's ever been to destruction, advancing their Doomsday Clock to an unprecedented 85 seconds to midnight. This dire warning comes as Russia, China, the U.S., and other nations exhibit increasingly aggressive, adversarial, and nationalistic behaviors. The scientists cited a multitude of existential risks, including the escalating threat of nuclear war, the worsening climate crisis, the potential misuse of biotechnology, and the increasing use of artificial intelligence without adequate controls. This marks a further advancement from last year's setting of 89 seconds to midnight. The group highlighted the collapse of "hard-won global understandings," which accelerates a "winner-takes-all" power competition and undermines the international cooperation vital for reducing global risks. Specific concerns include the Russia-Ukraine war, the India-Pakistan conflict, and Iran's potential nuclear weapons development. They also pointed to severe environmental challenges like droughts, heat waves, and floods linked to global warming, criticizing the failure of nations to adopt meaningful agreements and singling out U.S. President Donald Trump's efforts to boost fossil fuels. The Doomsday Clock, established in 1947, symbolizes humanity's proximity to self-destruction, and the group emphasized that it could be turned back if leaders and nations collaborate to address these critical threats.
