Nuclear scientists have set the ‘Doomsday Clock’ that tells the time of the end of the world as close to midnight as ever.
Scientists have named Russia’s growing nuclear threats in the Ukraine war, war-torn places around the world, the military use of artificial intelligence, and climate change as threats that could destroy the world.
According to a report the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists has set the Doomsday Clock at 89 seconds before midnight (the theoretical point of extinction), which is one second closer than last year.
The Chicago-based non-profit organization created the clock in 1947 during the Cold War tensions after World War II to warn the public about how close humanity is to destroying the world.
“The factors shaping this year’s decision include nuclear threats, climate change, misuse of biological science, and other emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, which were not new in 2024, but we have seen the failure to adequately address important issues and the negative and adverse effects that have occurred in many cases,” said Daniel Holz, chairman of the Bulletin’s Science and Security Board.“Setting the Doomsday Clock to 89 seconds before midnight is a way to alert world leaders to the dangers,” Holz added.
Factors determining the timing:
Daniel Holz said that ‘Russia launched a war in Ukraine in 2022, which is the bloodiest conflict in Europe since World War II. The war in Ukraine is leading to a continuous increase in nuclear risks. In the event of an aggressive move, an accident, or a miscalculation, this war could escalate at any time and lead to the use of nuclear weapons.’
The Israel-Gaza war and the wider regional rivalries of other countries, including Iran, have been another source of instability in the Middle East. Nuclear-armed China has increased military pressure near Taiwan and is deploying warships and aircraft in the sea and air near Taiwan. North Korea’s continued testing of ballistic missiles is also leading to an increase in these risks.
Daniel Holz said that ‘We are watching matters closely and hope that the ceasefire in Gaza will hold. Tensions in the Middle East, including Iran, continue to be a source of instability, and Taiwan and North Korea are among the world’s most vulnerable regions, with the threat of nuclear weapons use at any time, with unpredictable and potentially catastrophic consequences.
Artificial intelligence saw a dramatic increase in popularity and capabilities in 2024, leading some experts to express concerns about its military use and the threats it poses to global security. Governments have tried to address the issue appropriately.
