Doomsday Clock is now just 89 seconds from midnight, the point of no return. Here’s what it means

The Doomsday Clock now stands at 89 seconds to midnight, the closest it’s ever been to symbolizing global catastrophe, according to the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists. The Bulletin announced the change on Tuesday, citing escalating nuclear risks, climate change, biothreats, and disruptive technologies as primary reasons.“At 89 seconds to midnight, the doomsday clock stands closer to catastrophe than at any moment in its history,” said former Colombian president Juan Manuel Santos, chair of The Elders, a group of major former leaders, as he presented the findings by a board of experts.
“The clock speaks to the existential threats that confront us and the need for unity and bold leadership to turn back its hands,” he told a news conference in Washington.
The clock, created in 1947, serves as a symbolic gauge of humanity’s proximity to self-destruction. Midnight represents the point of no return, where Earth becomes uninhabitable. This marks the third year the clock has remained under two minutes to midnight.

The organization highlighted nuclear proliferation and the rapid advancement of technologies like artificial intelligence and biotechnology as key concerns, noting a lack of adequate regulation. The spread of misinformation and disinformation further compounds these dangers.

What is the Doomsday Clock?

The Doomsday Clock is a symbolic representation of how close humanity is to self-destruction due to existential threats like nuclear war, climate change, artificial intelligence, and disinformation. It was introduced in 1947 by the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists.

Why was the Doomsday Clock created?

The clock was created after World War II by scientists involved in the Manhattan Project to raise awareness about the dangers of nuclear weapons and other catastrophic technologies. It was first set at seven minutes to midnight as a warning that humanity was edging closer to disaster.

What does “midnight” on the Doomsday Clock signify?

Midnight symbolizes the apocalypse or humanity’s annihilation caused by human-made threats, such as nuclear war, climate change, or the misuse of biotechnology and artificial intelligence.

How is the time on the Doomsday Clock decided?

The clock’s time is determined annually by the Science and Security Board of the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, supported by Nobel laureates and global experts. Their decision is based on scientific data, briefings, and evaluations of global risks.

The clock’s time is annually reassessed by the Bulletin’s Science and Security Board, consulting with a Board of Sponsors which includes Nobel laureates.