The Doomsday Clock is a metaphor for the threat of global annihilation. It is maintained by the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, a non-profit organization founded in 1945 by Albert Einstein, J. Robert Oppenheimer, and other scientists who worked on the Manhattan Project.

The Clock’s hands are set closer to midnight (representing annihilation) or farther away (representing safety) based on the Bulletin’s assessment of the current state of the world. The closer the Clock is to midnight, the greater the Bulletin believes the danger of annihilation to be.

The Doomsday Clock is currently set at 90 seconds to midnight, the closest it has ever been to midnight. This is due to a number of factors, including the ongoing war in Ukraine, the continuing threat of nuclear weapons, and the climate crisis.

The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists has said that the world is facing an “unprecedented level of danger” and that the Doomsday Clock is “a stark reminder of the urgent need for action.”

Here are some of the specific threats that the Bulletin is concerned about:

• Nuclear weapons: There are still about 13,000 nuclear weapons in the world, and the risk of these weapons being used is increasing, especially in the context of the war in Ukraine.
• Climate change: The climate crisis is already causing widespread damage around the world, and it is only going to get worse if we don’t take action to reduce emissions.
• Disruptive technologies: New technologies, such as artificial intelligence and biotechnology, have the potential to do great good, but they also pose risks if they are not used responsibly.

The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists is not saying that annihilation is inevitable, but they are warning that we are on a dangerous path. They hope that the Doomsday Clock will serve as a wake-up call and that world leaders will take the necessary steps to reduce the risks of annihilation.

The Doomsday Clock is a symbolic representation of the world’s proximity to global catastrophe, particularly nuclear war. It was created by the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists in 1947 and is updated periodically to reflect the perceived level of danger to humanity. The clock is set to a certain time, with midnight representing the hypothetical point of global disaster.

The decision to adjust the time on the Doomsday Clock is made by the Bulletin’s Science and Security Board, in consultation with its Board of Sponsors, which includes Nobel laureates. Factors influencing the clock’s setting include nuclear threats, climate change, emerging technologies, and other global risks.

What is the Doomsday Clock right now?

The Doomsday Clock is currently still set at 90 seconds to midnight, as of January 25, 2024. This remains unchanged since the January 2023 announcement by the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists.

The decision to keep the Clock at this critical distance underscores the continued serious threats that humanity faces, primarily driven by:

• Escalating tensions in the war in Ukraine and the ever-present possibility of nuclear weapons being used.
• The intensifying climate crisis with its devastating consequences already being felt worldwide.
• The emergence of disruptive technologies that pose potential risks if not handled responsibly.

The Bulletin emphasizes that this setting isn’t meant to imply the situation hasn’t worsened since 2023, but rather serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for action to avert global catastrophe. It’s a call to world leaders and individuals alike to actively strive for de-escalation, climate action, and responsible technological development.

While the current time of 90 seconds to midnight paints a concerning picture, the Doomsday Clock also serves as a call to action. It reminds us of the responsibility we have towards our planet and each other, and urges us to work together to address the existential threats we face.

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