On January 28, 2025, the iconic Doomsday Clock was moved to its most alarming position ever: 89 seconds to midnight12. This one-second advancement from its previous setting represents the closest humanity has come to catastrophe in the clock's 78-year history3. The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, responsible for maintaining this symbolic timepiece, made this unprecedented decision to underscore the escalating global risks facing our world4. This latest adjustment serves as a stark warning, emphasizing the urgent need for immediate action to address the multifaceted threats pushing humanity towards the brink of disaster5.

The unprecedented 89-second setting reflects a confluence of global crises pushing humanity closer to catastrophe. Nuclear threats loom large, with the ongoing war in Ukraine entering its third year and conflicts in the Middle East threatening wider warfare1. Climate change continues unabated, while emerging technologies like artificial intelligence pose increasing risks, particularly in military applications23. Geopolitical tensions are escalating, and biological threats remain a concern1. Daniel Holz, chairman of the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists, emphasizes that even a single second's movement closer to midnight indicates extreme danger, reflecting the scientific community's assessment that global leaders have failed to adequately address these mounting existential threats45.

The Doomsday Clock has undergone significant changes since its inception in 1947, reflecting the evolving nature of global threats. Initially set at seven minutes to midnight, the clock has fluctuated over time, with notable milestones including:

• 1991: Set at 17 minutes to midnight, the furthest from catastrophe in its history, following the end of the Cold War1

• 2023: Moved to 90 seconds to midnight, setting a previous record2

• 2025: Advanced to 89 seconds to midnight, marking the closest humanity has ever been to symbolic annihilation34

This progression illustrates the increasing complexity and severity of global challenges, from nuclear proliferation to climate change and emerging technologies, that continue to push humanity closer to the brink of disaster.

The unprecedented 89-second setting of the Doomsday Clock has prompted stark warnings from experts about the escalating global risks. Juan Manuel Santos, Chair of The Elders and former Colombian President, emphasized the urgent need for world leaders to address these existential threats, stating that humanity is "edging closer to catastrophe"12. Scientists from the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists have stressed that this new setting reflects a "new level of global risk," with tensions rising across multiple fronts3.

Key concerns highlighted by experts include:

• The ongoing war in Ukraine and conflicts in the Middle East, which threaten to escalate into wider warfare4

• Accelerating climate change and its devastating impacts4

• The rapid development of artificial intelligence and its potential military applications4

• Persistent biological threats and the risk of future pandemics4

• Increasing geopolitical tensions and the erosion of global cooperation5

These warnings highlight the urgent need for immediate, unified global efforts to tackle these interconnected crises. Experts stress that actionable steps include strengthening international agreements, fostering diplomatic dialogue, investing in sustainable technologies, and enhancing preparedness for future emergencies. Coordinated action is essential to prevent humanity from edging closer to disaster.