The Doomsday Clock has been moved to 85 seconds to midnight, the closest it has ever been, reflecting growing concerns over nuclear weapons, climate change and the spread of disinformation. The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists announced the shift on Tuesday, moving the symbolic clock four seconds closer to midnight compared to last year. The clock, created during the Cold War, is meant to show how close humanity is to a global catastrophe.
In a statement, the Bulletin said that major powers, including the United States, Russia and China, have become more aggressive, adversarial and nationalistic. The decision was made after consultations with a board that includes eight Nobel Prize winners.
The announcement comes one year into US President Donald Trump’s second term, a period marked by the breaking of long-standing global norms. The Bulletin pointed to unilateral military actions and the withdrawal of the US from several international organisations as factors adding to global instability.
The board also warned of rising nuclear risks, particularly as the New START arms reduction treaty between Washington and Moscow is set to expire next week. It raised concerns over Trump’s proposed “Golden Dome” missile defence system, saying it could further militarise space and fuel a new arms race.
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