Scientists Just Moved the Doomsday Clock, Which Predicts the End of the World — Here’s How Close We Are Now

The Doomsday Clock was first created back in 1947 by the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists. It predicts how close we are to the end of the world metaphorically, taking into account various global events, including wars, climate change, and AI uncertainty. It was originally set to 7 minutes before midnight, and now it is closer than ever.

89 Seconds From Midnight — The Closest in History

The doomsday clock has just been moved to 89 seconds from midnight, down from 90 seconds prior to it. Midnight represents the end, and this is the closest the countdown has ever been to the symbolic end of the world since its inception in 1947.

What this simply means is that, according to our best scientists, after considering all factors that might contribute, a global catastrophe that could either cause an extinction event or a huge change is just around the corner.

However, keep in mind that its main purpose is to warn people about how dangerously close we are to destroying our world from our own doing, whether that is through our unchecked technological advancement, or rising tensions between powerful countries.

Read more: The Bulletin

Nuclear War Is Back on the Table

Doomsday Clock inches closer than ever to midnight over mounting global threats | FULL

One of the biggest reasons why scientists moved the clock closer to midnight is because of wars happening around the world that could trigger a nuclear disaster.

The nature of these events is not contained in those countries or regions; when nukes are dropped, everyone in the world will suffer to varying degrees. It is a weapon that could single-handedly make this countdown move right at midnight.

That is why whenever a country that is nuclear-armed gets into conflict, it is not just a matter of its own. It is everyone’s business to make sure that peace can be achieved, especially because all of us on this planet will be in danger if it escalates.

Climate Change Is Escalating Fast

Did you know that NASA satellites have recorded that Antarctica has gained back some of its ice, about 119 billion tons per year. That is one of the best news, showcasing that climate change could still be reversible. However, it is still a fact that 2023 was one of the hottest years ever recorded.

Our satellites could also still observe rising sea levels, an increase in wildfires, and extreme weather events. The doomsday clock also takes all of these into account, and scientists continue their decades of warnings to trigger global action.

Read more: Time

AI and New Tech Pose New Risks

The most unpredictable factor of them all that contributes to the doomsday clock being moved is the rise of AI. We just don’t have any idea how or when it would take over the world, or if it is preventable. Humans, especially the ones in power, are all racing towards creating the smartest AI they can achieve.

This all sounds bad; however, if you look at it in a positive mindset, AI could still bring us more good than bad if it were not left unchecked. It can make any country more productive than ever, and produce goods and services on a whole different scale.

The Doomsday Clock was set to 89 seconds before midnight

Author's Final Thoughts

Doomsday Clock was created by our best minds on the planet to warn and keep us aware of whether what we are doing as a species is getting us closer to an end. It is only a symbolic figure meant to help, which means it could totally be wrong about everything. It is not a prediction; it is a warning, hoping that we all will listen.

Read more: New Discovery Made Scientists Say ‘We May Have Been Wrong About the Origin of Life’