The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists (BAS) announced on Tuesday that it is moving the Doomsday Clock to 85 seconds to midnight, the symbolic point of global catastrophe. This is a shift of another four seconds compared to last year. The clock has never been in such a dangerous position since its inception in 1947.
The Chicago-based non-profit organization created the Doomsday Clock after World War II as a warning to the public about how close humanity is to self-destruction.
Scientists point in particular to the increasingly aggressive behavior of the nuclear powers—Russia, China, and the United States—and the breakdown of international arms control agreements. According to BAS Director General Alexandra Bell, "nothing has moved in the right direction" in the area of nuclear risks over the past year.
"Long-standing diplomatic frameworks are under pressure or breaking down, the threat of nuclear testing has returned, concerns about the proliferation of nuclear weapons are growing, and several armed conflicts are taking place in the shadow of nuclear arsenals," Bell said.
She cited Russia's war against Ukraine, US and Israeli attacks on Iran, and border clashes between India and Pakistan as examples. She also pointed to tensions in Asia, including the Korean Peninsula and relations between China and Taiwan.
End of nuclear agreement in sight
Another serious factor is the approaching end of the last valid nuclear agreement between the US and Russia. The New START treaty, which limits the number of deployed nuclear warheads to 1,550 on each side, expires on February 5. Russian President Vladimir Putin has proposed an informal one-year extension, but US President Donald Trump has not yet officially responded to the proposal.
In addition, Trump ordered the US military last year to resume preparations for nuclear tests, which were suspended more than three decades ago. According to Bell, a return to testing would suit China best, which is rapidly expanding its nuclear arsenal.
Nuclear scientists are also warning of the risks associated with the uncontrolled integration of artificial intelligence into military systems. They fear its possible misuse in the development of biological threats and its role in the global spread of disinformation. Climate change remains one of the main threats.
"The Doomsday Clock reflects global risks, and what we are seeing today is a global failure of leadership," Bell said. According to her, the shift towards nationalism and power rivalry only increases the likelihood of disaster.
The world in the era of information Armageddon
Journalist Maria Ressa, winner of the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize, also participated in the announcement. She warned of the dangers of modern technologies, which she said spread lies faster than facts.
"We are living in an information Armageddon caused by the technologies that control our lives, from social media to generative artificial intelligence," Ressa said, adding that these systems are not anchored in facts.
Scientists have moved the Doomsday Clock closer to midnight for the third time in the last four years. According to BAS, this is a clear signal that the world is in an extremely dangerous period.
(reuters, mja)