Atomic Scientists Doomsday Clock Set to 89 Seconds to Midnight: Global Catastrophe Nears

The Atomic Scientists Doomsday Clock has been set to 89 seconds to midnight, the closest it has ever been to midnight in its 78-year history. This symbolic clock, maintained by the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, represents how close humanity is to global catastrophe due to existential threats like nuclear conflict, climate change, and disruptive technologies such as artificial intelligence.

Key Factors Leading to the Adjustment:

• Nuclear Threats: Ongoing conflicts involving nuclear powers, particularly the war in Ukraine, have heightened the risk of nuclear escalation.
• Climate Change: The world’s efforts to combat climate change remain inadequate, with 2024 being the hottest year on record.
• Biological Threats: The continued threat of pandemics and the misuse of biological science.
• Disruptive Technologies: The rapid advancement of technologies like artificial intelligence, which are being incorporated into military operations.

Implications and Warnings:

• Existential Risks: The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists emphasized that humanity is on a course of unprecedented risk. Every second’s extension on the clock signifies an increased probability of global disaster.
• Call to Action: The organization urged global leaders, particularly those from the US, China, and Russia, to take immediate action to address these existential threats.

Historical Context of the Atomic Scientists Doomsday Clock:

• 1947: The clock was originally set at 7 minutes to midnight.
• 1953: Moved to 2 minutes to midnight following hydrogen bomb tests by the US and Soviet Union.
• 1991: Set at 17 minutes to midnight after the Cold War ended.
• 2018: Moved back to 2 minutes to midnight due to nuclear threats and climate change.
• 2023: Reset to 90 seconds to midnight.
• 2025: Moved one second closer to midnight, now at 89 seconds.

The Atomic Scientists’ Doomsday Clock serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for global cooperation and action to mitigate these existential threats.