Doomsday Clock Moves to 85 Seconds to Midnight as Global Risks Escalate
The Doomsday Clock has been set to 85 seconds before midnight, the closest humanity has ever come to global catastrophe, according to the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists.
The science-focused advocacy group cited growing threats from nuclear conflict, climate change, artificial intelligence, and biological risks. Rising geopolitical tensions involving the United States, Russia, China, and other major powers were identified as key factors pushing the world closer to danger.
Scientists warned that ongoing conflicts — including the Russia-Ukraine war, heightened tensions in South Asia, and concerns over Iran’s nuclear ambitions — increase the likelihood of escalation involving nuclear-armed nations.
The group also highlighted worsening heatwaves, droughts, floods, and extreme weather events linked to climate change, along with the failure of global leaders to implement meaningful climate policies. Unregulated advances in artificial intelligence were cited as an emerging threat that could further destabilize global security.
First introduced in 1947, the Doomsday Clock is a symbolic measure of how close humanity is to self-inflicted destruction. After the Cold War, it stood as far back as 17 minutes to midnight. In recent years, scientists have shifted from minutes to seconds to reflect the speed and severity of modern global risks.
The Bulletin emphasized that the clock can still be turned back — but only through international cooperation, responsible leadership, and urgent action to reduce existential threats.
