The Doomsday Clock has been adjusted to 85 seconds to midnight, marking the closest it has ever been to global catastrophe in its history. This alarming update represents a significant shift from last year's setting of 89 seconds, with the clock moving perilously closer to midnight in three of the past four years.
Experts Cite Multiple Global Threats
World-leading scientists and experts have identified a combination of critical dangers as the primary reasons for this adjustment. The key threats include the escalating risks of global war, the accelerating impacts of climate change, and the rapid advancements in artificial intelligence. These factors collectively contribute to an unprecedented level of peril for humanity.
Leadership and Governance Criticised
Alexandra Bell, the president and CEO of the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, which manages the clock, has pointed to a "global failure in leadership" and an "Orwellian approach to governance" as major drivers behind the clock's movement toward midnight. Established in 1947 to monitor Cold War tensions, the clock continues to serve as a stark reminder of the world's vulnerabilities.
The consistent trend of the clock inching closer to midnight underscores the urgent need for international cooperation and decisive action to address these pressing global challenges. As the Bulletin emphasises, humanity now faces a critical juncture in avoiding self-destruction.
