The Doomsday Clock has now been moved to 85 seconds until midnight—the furthest possible point to mark a global catastrophe that is symbolized as 12:00 a.m. The January 27, 2026 warning has cited the combination of nuclear peril, climate disintegration, unchecked technological risk, and global leadership collapse as unprecedentedly converging.
The Doomsday Clock is operated by the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists (founded in 1945 by scientists involved in the Manhattan Project, including Albert Einstein and J. Robert Oppenheimer). Midnight symbolises doomsday in terms of human activity as creating the end of the world.
Why the Doomsday Clock is moving ahead
The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists states that global risks did not decrease during 2025 but intensified.
Atomic threats continue to be the greatest cause of concern. The weakening of the arms control treaty has resulted in the New START treaty between the U.S. and Russia expiring in February. Scientists have indicated that this may lead to a new nuclear arms race. The ongoing nuclear-conflict areas, e.g., the war in Ukraine and India-Pakistan, continue to escalate tensions and potentially increase chances of conflict. Alexandra Bell, President and CEO of The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, stated that nuclear weapons pose an “unsustainably and unacceptably high” risk to humanity today, particularly due to renewed nuclear signalling, nuclear weapons modernization, and discussions about the resumption of nuclear weapons testing.
Danger of a New Arms Race — including Space
Another concern raised by scientists were the newly emerging risks of an arms race that now extends beyond planet Earth. Nuclear arsenals of major military powers are being modernized in addition to missile defense systems and space-based weapons threats that will destabilize existing deterrence frameworks. Dialogue on disarmament has virtually come to a halt, replaced with what The Bulletin describes as a “winner-takes-all” great power competition.
The other major driver cited by scientists for the advancement of the doomsday clock was climate breakdown. Global average temperatures continue to be near record highs, global carbon dioxide levels have reached 150% of pre-industrial levels, and millions of people worldwide have been displaced by extreme weather events. Scientists have criticized the failure of government to phase out fossil fuels and increase climate change response, stating that delayed action is now actively making the crisis worse.
The rise of emerging technologies has increased many risks and dangers. Artificial intelligence has the potential to be an unregulated technology affecting our lethal military systems, namely nuclear command and control. In addition, scientists have voiced concerns over the creation of advanced biological materials and the possibility of creating synthetic or “mirror life” with the potential to cause global extinction in the future if misused.
Furthermore, the use of AI for the generation of misinformation has led to a loss of faith in the value of reliable facts. Maria Ressa, the Nobel Peace Prize laureate stated that this is an “information Armageddon” where the digital environment is created and controlled by algorithms, not by fact.
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Is there the possibility that the clock can be turned backward?
The Bulletin makes it clear that disaster is not a certainty to occur or to be experienced. In the past, recommendations such as the arms reduction agreements signed in 1991 demonstrate that the clock can make its way backward from midnight. Scientists have called for renewed cooperation on arms control and climate change; a stricter overview on emerging technologies; and the building of stronger democracies for all of our countries. Based upon the fact that the current time on the Doomsday Clock is 85 seconds to midnight, there is a need for urgency with every action taken by individuals,since there are many people whose decisions directly impact the entire planet.
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