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Doomsday Clock reaches its most critical moment: ‘Humanity edging closer to catastrophe’
- Doomsday Clock was set to 89 seconds to midnight, on Tuesday morning, marking the closest the world has ever been to what scientists consider a “Humanity edging closer To catastrophe”.
The Doomsday Clock, which symbolizes the proximity of humanity to global catastrophe, has been moved to 89 seconds to midnight, the closest it has ever been in its 78-year history. The time change, announced on January 2025, reflects the escalating risks posed by nuclear weapons, climate change, artificial intelligence, infectious diseases, and ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East.
The world on the brink
The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists' Science and Security Board (SASB) cited several existential threats as reasons for moving the Doomsday Clock closer to midnight. These threats include the persistent danger of nuclear conflict, worsening climate change, the misuse of biological science, and disruptive technologies like artificial intelligence.
“The world is on a course of unprecedented risk, and continuing on this path is a form of madness,” said the statement from the SASB. "The United States, China, and Russia have the prime responsibility to pull the world back from the brink. The world depends on immediate action."
A call for global action
The Doomsday Clock’s time is set annually by the SASB, in consultation with its Board of Sponsors, including nine Nobel Laureates. The 2025 announcement urges national leaders to take bold steps to mitigate these risks. Daniel Holz, PhD, Chair of SASB, emphasized the urgency:
"The purpose of the Doomsday Clock is to start a global conversation about the very real existential threats that keep the world’s top scientists awake at night. National leaders must commence discussions about these global risks before it’s too late. Reflecting on these life-and-death issues and starting a dialogue are the first steps to turning back the Clock and moving away from midnight.”."
Global instability
Juan Manuel Santos, former President of Colombia and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, also joined in the 2025 announcement, underscoring the need for international cooperation.
“The Doomsday Clock is moving at a moment of profound global instability and geopolitical tension. As the hands of the clock get ever closer to midnight, we make an impassioned plea to all leaders: now is the time to act together! The existential threats we face can only be addressed through bold leadership and partnership on a global scale. Cada segundo cuenta. Every second counts.”
The Doomsday Clock's latest setting serves as a stark reminder that urgent, collective action is required to reduce the growing risks to global security and survival.
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Doomsday Clock: History
The Doomsday Clock debuted in 1947 during the early years of the nuclear arms race between the United States and the Soviet Union. Created by artist Martyl Langsdorf, the design symbolised the urgent need for action against atomic weapons.
In 2007, graphic designer Michael Bierut modernised the clock to incorporate additional threats such as climate change and artificial intelligence. The clock’s annual update has become a barometer of humanity’s collective progress—or failure—in addressing global risks.
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Business NewsNewsTrendsDoomsday Clock reaches its most critical moment: ‘Humanity edging closer to catastrophe’
First Published:29 Jan 2025, 01:15 AM IST
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