Are we running out of time? The doomsday clock moves to 89 seconds to midnight

On January 28, 2025, the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists made a chilling announcement: the Doomsday Clock has moved one second closer to midnight, now sitting at just 89 seconds away. This symbolic timepiece, first introduced in 1947, is meant to represent how close humanity is to a global catastrophe.

The Clock and Its Meaning

The Doomsday Clock isn’t an actual countdown to disaster, but a warning about existential threats like nuclear war, climate change, artificial intelligence, and pandemics. Every year, a panel of scientists and security experts analyze global risks and adjust the clock accordingly.

In 2023, the hands were set at 90 seconds to midnight—the closest in history—largely due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and rising nuclear tensions. This year, with continued conflicts, record-breaking climate events, AI developments, and pandemic concerns, the clock moved forward again.

What’s Pushing Us Closer to Midnight?

Several growing dangers contributed to this shift:

Nuclear Threats: Ongoing geopolitical tensions, including conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza, as well as the erosion of nuclear arms control agreements, are increasing global instability.

Climate Change: 2024 was likely the hottest year on record, with extreme weather events worsening worldwide.

Artificial Intelligence: Rapid AI advancements, particularly in military applications, raise concerns about future risks.

Health Threats: Emerging diseases, like bird flu, add another layer of uncertainty and potential global disruption.

Cybersecurity & Disinformation: The spread of false information and cyber vulnerabilities make crises harder to manage and solutions more difficult to implement.

The Problem With the Doomsday Clock

As the clock keeps ticking closer to midnight, some critics argue that it may be losing its impact. The fear of nuclear war defined the original purpose of the clock, making it a clear-cut indicator of global peril. However, as new risks like climate change and AI are added to the equation, the metaphor becomes harder to interpret.

Unlike nuclear war, which is an immediate and binary threat (either the missiles launch or they don’t), climate change is a slow-moving crisis with complex variables. AI, while potentially dangerous, also offers immense benefits, making its risk level difficult to quantify. Meanwhile, pandemics and cyber threats are unpredictable, making it unclear how close they truly bring us to global catastrophe.

Are We Tuning Out the Warnings?

The Doomsday Clock’s purpose is to sound the alarm and prompt action. However, as each year brings a new warning without an immediate disaster, there’s a risk that people will stop taking it seriously. If the clock keeps edging closer to midnight but the world continues on, will the message lose its urgency?

What Happens Next?

Despite its limitations, the Doomsday Clock remains a powerful reminder of the challenges we face. The threats outlined by scientists are real, and addressing them requires global cooperation. Whether it’s nuclear arms control, climate action, or AI regulation, proactive steps can help ensure we never actually reach midnight.

As the world watches the clock tick forward, the real question remains: will humanity take action before time runs out?