The Doomsday Clock has moved closer to midnight than ever before in its 79-year history. On Tuesday, the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists set the symbolic hands at 85 seconds to midnight, a four-second jump from last year. This change signals that experts believe the risk of a global catastrophe is at an all-time high.
The primary driver for this shift is the rising threat of nuclear conflict. Scientists noted that the last remaining treaty between the US and Russia governing nuclear stockpiles expires next week. Without this agreement, there is no formal mechanism to prevent a new, uninhibited global arms race.
The move reflects a year of intense military friction. The Bulletin cited ongoing bloodshed in Ukraine, where reports suggest casualties could reach one million by 2026. Tensions in the Middle East and a US bombing mission against Iranian nuclear facilities have further destabilized international relations.
Beyond warfare, the scientists highlighted the intensifying climate crisis, marked by record-high sea levels and erratic weather. They also warned of “mirror life”—synthetic organisms created in labs. While intended for medicine, these substances pose a risk of an unstoppable pandemic if they are ever released.
Disruptive technologies, particularly Artificial Intelligence (AI), were also singled out for their role in spreading misinformation. Experts fear that “us versus them” nationalism is replacing international cooperation, making it harder for the world to address these existential risks together.