Doomsday Clock at 85 Seconds to Midnight: Alarm Sounds
The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists has shifted the symbolic Doomsday Clock to its closest-ever position to catastrophe—85 seconds before midnight. This four-second advance from the 89 seconds set in 2025 underscores surging nuclear tensions, accelerating climate crises, and escalating artificial intelligence risks.
Nuclear Threats Take Center Stage
Experts highlight a global stockpile of around 12,000 nuclear warheads, with aggressive postures from powers like Russia, China, and the US fueling dangers. Ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, alongside crumbling arms control agreements, have pushed nuclear use risks to unsustainable levels. Bulletin CEO Alexandra Bell noted, "No positive nuclear developments occurred in 2025."
Climate and AI Risks Intensify
Beyond nukes, climate instability, AI's military integration, and biological hazards compound the peril. The spread of misinformation further erodes global cooperation. Scientists stress these intertwined threats demand urgent collective action.
Historical Context and Urgent Call
Launched in 1947 by Manhattan Project scientists, the clock reached its safest point of 17 minutes in 1991 post-Cold War. Now at peak danger, the Bulletin insists time remains to reverse course, urging nuclear giants to lead humanity back from the brink.
