On January 27, the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists announced the adjustment of the "Death Clock" to 85 seconds before midnight, marking the time when humanity is considered the closest to global disaster in nearly 8 decades of existence of this iconic clock.
Accordingly, the greater the nuclear threat, the closer the clock gets to midnight (12 pm or 0 am).
Humanity has not made the necessary progress in the face of the existential risks that threaten us all" - Ms. Alexandra Bell, Chairwoman and CEO of Bulletin, emphasized. "Every second is important, and we are running out of time.
Last year, the clock needle was set at 89 seconds before midnight, which is already a dangerous record.
According to Ms. Bell, threats from nuclear weapons, climate change and disruptive technology not only do not decrease but also increase.
Mr. Daniel Holz, Chairman of the Science and Security Council - the body that decides on the adjustment level of the "Death Clock" - said that in the past year, many powers have become more decisive, confrontational and nationalist.
Notably, Mr. Holz warned that the 2010 strategic arms control treaty between the US and Russia will expire next week. "For the first time in more than half a century, there will be no more barriers to prevent an uncontrolled nuclear arms race," he said.
On the climate front, Mr. Holz said that CO2 levels in the global atmosphere and sea level have reached record highs. Extreme phenomena such as drought, wildfires, floods, low pressure and storms are becoming increasingly intense and unpredictable. "And this will only get worse," he warned.
Not only that, the risk of an arms race revolving around artificial intelligence (AI) is also highlighted. According to Mr. Holz, AI is a powerful breakthrough technology and is accelerating rapidly. “AI also amplifies false and distorted information, making it much more difficult to respond to other threats” - he said.
However, the leader of Bulletin emphasized that this gloomy picture is not irreversible. According to Ms. Bell, every time the clock is pushed back in the past is associated with the role of science, experts and pressure from the public.
The "Death Clock" was first introduced in 1947, shortly after the US used atomic bombs in Japan during World War II. The goal of the Bulletin was to warn the public and promote action ideas to minimize threats to survival.
In nearly 80 years, the clock has been adjusted more than 20 times. The safest time ever recorded was 17 minutes before midnight in 1991, after the Cold War ended and the US-Soviet nuclear arms embargo signed.
However, in recent years, the clock has continuously approached midnight. The 2020s began with the milestone of 100 seconds before midnight, when the Bulletin warning of information warfare in cyberspace is exacerbating nuclear and climate risks.
By 2023, the clock jumped to 90 seconds, mainly due to risks from the Russia-Ukraine conflict, and remained unchanged in 2024.
Last year, the clock tossed forward another second, with the Bulletin's frank assessment: "Despite undeniable signs of danger, their national and social leaders have not done what is necessary to change direction.
