Humanity is inching toward its own annihilation, according to the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, which moved its iconic Doomsday Clock the closest its ever been to midnight—just 89 seconds away.
The clock, a symbolic measure of how close humanity is to catastrophe, was advanced on Tuesday, AP reported. The move was attributed to mounting global threats including nuclear proliferation, climate change, geopolitical instability, and the integration of artificial intelligence in military operations.
"When you are at this precipice, the one thing you don't want to do is take a step forward," said Daniel Holz, chair of the group's science and security board.
The Bulletin highlighted growing concerns over nuclear programs in countries like North Korea, Russia, and China, and raised alarms about Russian President Vladimir Putin's threats to use nuclear weapons amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.
"A lot of the rhetoric is very disturbing," Holz said. "There is this growing sense that ... some nation might end up using nuclear weapons, and that's terrifying."
Other risks, including climate inaction, instability in the Middle East, and the lingering threat of pandemics, also played a role in advancing the clock.
The Doomsday Clock, created in 1947, has been adjusted over the years to reflect humanity's proximity to self-destruction. After the Cold War, it stood as far as 17 minutes to midnight. In recent years, it has been measured in seconds to underscore the accelerating pace of existential threats.
The Bulletin emphasized that the clock's hands can be moved back, but doing so will require world leaders to respond to global threats with urgency. As it stands, the group warns that humanity remains at its most vulnerable point in history.
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