Doomsday Clock Nears Midnight: 85 Seconds Left, Scientists Warn of Existential Risks

• The 'Doomsday Clock' has been set to 85 seconds to midnight, the closest it has ever been to global catastrophe.
• This symbolic clock, created in 1947 by the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, represents humanity's proximity to self-destruction.
• Alexandra Bell, president of the Bulletin, stated that humanity has failed to reduce existential risks.
• The clock was farthest from midnight in 1991 (17 minutes) after the Cold War and a nuclear arms reduction treaty.
• Recent years have seen the clock move closer due to factors like cyber warfare, nuclear threats, climate change, and Russia's war in Ukraine.

Why It Matters: The Doomsday Clock is at its closest point to midnight, signaling urgent, unaddressed existential threats.