The symbolic Doomsday Clock, a foreboding reminder of humanity’s proximity to potential annihilation, is now closer to midnight than ever before. Designed by atomic scientists, including Albert Einstein, the clock first appeared in 1947 to serve as a stark warning about the dangers of nuclear warfare. Over the decades, it has evolved into a measure of humanity’s most pressing threats, including geopolitical conflicts, climate change, and emerging technologies.
A Clock Born of Warning
Initially set at seven minutes to midnight, the clock aimed to alert the public to the devastating potential of nuclear weapons. As the world grappled with the reality of a nuclear arms race, the Doomsday Clock became a sobering reminder of the stakes of global tensions. Today, however, the greatest danger to humanity’s survival comes from a combination of factors, with climate change taking center stage. This existential threat, alongside political instability and advanced weaponry, continues to push the clock’s hands closer to the dreaded hour.
Updated annually by the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, the clock reflects the culmination of scientific, political, and social assessments. This year’s update underscores the gravity of the global situation, as the clock remains precariously close to the symbolic “end.”
A Timeline of Tension
Over the years, the clock has oscillated based on humanity’s actions—or lack thereof—to address global threats. In 1991, at the conclusion of the Cold War, the clock was set back to 17 minutes to midnight, marking a moment of hope as the United States and the Soviet Union agreed to significantly reduce their nuclear arsenals through the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty.
However, progress has been fleeting. The hands of the clock have since moved forward 17 times, reflecting a litany of crises, from escalating geopolitical conflicts to environmental degradation.
In 2023, the clock advanced 10 seconds, leaving humanity a mere 90 seconds away from midnight—the closest it has ever been. The primary driver for this alarming shift was Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, a conflict that reignited fears of nuclear warfare and underscored the fragility of global peace. Rachel Bronson, president of the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, noted the profound implications of the war: “Russia’s thinly veiled threats to use nuclear weapons remind the world that escalation of the conflict by accident, intention, or miscalculation is a terrible risk.”
This sentiment was echoed in the organization’s statement, which highlighted how the conflict hampers international efforts to combat climate change, compounding the risks to humanity’s future.
A Stark Warning for 2024
As the world entered 2024, many anticipated the Doomsday Clock’s hands would inch even closer to midnight. However, the clock remains at 90 seconds to midnight—a small relief that is overshadowed by the stark reality that this is still the most perilous position in its history.
While some may find solace in the fact that the clock has not moved forward, the current state of the world leaves little room for optimism. Rachel Bronson warned, “Countries with nuclear weapons are engaged in modernisation programmes that threaten to create a new nuclear arms race. Earth experienced its hottest year on record, and massive floods, fires, and other disasters have become increasingly common.”
Bronson also pointed to the challenges posed by artificial intelligence and the risk of future pandemics, highlighting the interconnected nature of these threats. She cautioned, “Recent advances in artificial intelligence raise a variety of questions about how to control a technology that could improve or threaten civilisation in countless ways.”
A Call to Action
The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists stresses the urgent need for global cooperation to address these mounting threats. The organization’s website identifies nuclear weapons, climate change, and artificial intelligence as the primary dangers to humanity, emphasizing that these issues are so vast in scope that no single nation can resolve them alone.
“To turn back the clock,” the organization asserts, “three of the world’s leading powers—the United States, China, and Russia—should commence serious dialogue about each of the global threats, despite their profound disagreements.” The statement underscores the responsibility these nations bear in preventing a catastrophe of unprecedented scale.
The Road Ahead
The Doomsday Clock’s unchanging position at 90 seconds to midnight serves as both a warning and a challenge. Humanity stands at a crossroads, with the ability to avert disaster resting in the collective hands of global leaders and citizens. Whether the clock’s hands move backward or forward will depend on our willingness to confront the existential threats that endanger our shared future.