What is doomsday clock

 The Doomsday Clock is a symbolic clock maintained by the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists that represents the likelihood of a global catastrophe. Created in 1947 by a group of scientists who had worked on the Manhattan Project—the U.S. initiative to build the first nuclear weapons—the clock was intended to warn humanity about the dangers of nuclear war. Over time, its scope has expanded to include other existential threats such as climate change, cyber warfare, artificial intelligence, and biotechnology. The clock is not a prediction but a metaphorical measure of how close humanity is to self-destruction. The closer the hands are set to midnight, the nearer the world is perceived to be to a global disaster.

The decision to adjust the time on the Doomsday Clock is made annually by the Science and Security Board of the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, in consultation with a board of sponsors that includes several Nobel laureates. The clock has become an important indicator for public understanding of global risks. The original setting in 1947 was seven minutes to midnight. Since then, the time has been adjusted more than twenty times, based on the state of international relations, progress or setbacks in arms control, climate data, technological advancements, and geopolitical tensions.

One of the closest settings to midnight occurred in 1953, after the United States and the Soviet Union tested hydrogen bombs within months of each other, bringing the clock to two minutes to midnight. Another historic setting was in 1991, when the clock was set back to seventeen minutes to midnight following the end of the Cold War and the signing of arms reduction treaties. However, in recent years, the clock has moved perilously close to midnight. In 2020, it was set to 100 seconds to midnight—the closest it had ever been—due to rising nuclear tensions, insufficient global action on climate change, the spread of disinformation, and the erosion of international norms and institutions. In 2024, the clock was moved forward again to 90 seconds to midnight, highlighting the growing risk from the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, global climate inaction, and uncontrolled technological advancements in areas such as artificial intelligence and biological research.

The Doomsday Clock has become a powerful tool for raising public awareness and motivating political leaders to take action. It serves not only as a warning but also as a call to humanity to reconsider its choices and responsibilities toward the future. Despite its symbolic nature, the clock is based on careful assessments and scientific evaluations. It reminds the world that preventing catastrophe requires global cooperation, scientific understanding, and political will.

While some critics argue that the Doomsday Clock is subjective or overly pessimistic, its purpose is not to instill fear but to provoke thought and encourage proactive measures. It emphasizes the interconnectedness of modern threats and the need for holistic, long-term solutions. Ultimately, the Doomsday Clock is a reflection of humanity’s stewardship over its own fate, underscoring the urgent need for vigilance, dialogue, and international cooperation to ensure a safe and sustainable future for all.