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Scientists warn humanity is closer than ever to global catastrophe
The symbolic Doomsday Clock has been moved forward to 85 seconds before midnight, marking the most perilous moment in its 79‑year history. The announcement came from the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, whose panel includes leading researchers and eight Nobel laureates. The clock is designed to illustrate how close humanity is to triggering a worldwide disaster.
According to the scientists, the shift by four seconds reflects a growing convergence of global threats. They point to the increasingly confrontational posture of major powers such as the United States, China, and Russia, describing these nations as “more aggressive, more confrontational, and more nationalistic” in recent years.
Eroding Cooperation, Rising Risks
The researchers warn that international cooperation—essential for reducing the risks of nuclear conflict, climate change, biotechnology misuse, and emerging dangers linked to artificial intelligence—is faltering across multiple regions. Without coordinated global action, they argue, the world becomes more vulnerable to cascading crises.
One of the most urgent concerns is the imminent expiration of the New START treaty, the last remaining arms‑control agreement between the United States and Russia. The treaty, which limits strategic nuclear weapons, is set to lapse next week. Physicist Daniel Holz of the University of Chicago cautioned that “for the first time in more than half a century, nothing will remain to prevent an out‑of‑control nuclear arms race.”
Holz also noted recent political developments in the United States, including threats to resume nuclear testing and the advancement of a missile defense system known as the Golden Dome. These moves, he said, contribute to a climate of instability.
Domestic Tensions Add to Global Concerns
Holz voiced sharp criticism of recent events in Minneapolis, where two U.S. citizens were fatally shot by security forces during protests against federal immigration policies. “History shows that conflict and suffering follow when governments cease to be accountable to their own people,” he said.
A Clock with a Long Memory
The Doomsday Clock was created in 1947, two years after the end of World War II. At its debut, it stood at seven minutes to midnight. The most optimistic setting came after the end of the Cold War, when the hands were moved back to 17 minutes before midnight.
Today’s setting—just 85 seconds from symbolic catastrophe—reflects a world facing overlapping crises and diminishing trust between nations. The scientists behind the clock emphasize that the situation is not irreversible, but requires urgent, collective action.
- source: orf.at/picture:
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