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Doomsday Clock Remains at 90 Seconds to Midnight

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  Published in Science and Technology on Monday, February 2nd 2026 at 2:01 GMT by NBC Connecticut
      Locales: UNITED STATES, SWITZERLAND, CHINA, RUSSIAN FEDERATION

Washington D.C. - February 2, 2026 - The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists today announced the Doomsday Clock remains at a chilling 90 seconds to midnight, the closest it has ever been to symbolizing global annihilation. This grim assessment, unveiled earlier today, isn't merely a symbolic gesture; it's a stark warning from leading scientists and experts that the confluence of escalating global threats - nuclear proliferation, a rapidly changing climate, and the unpredictable evolution of disruptive technologies - presents an unprecedented danger to humanity.

The Doomsday Clock, established in 1947 in the aftermath of the Manhattan Project, initially served as a barometer of nuclear threat. However, its scope has broadened over the decades to encompass existential risks beyond atomic warfare. Today, the clock reflects a complex web of interconnected challenges demanding urgent and coordinated global action. The fact that it has remained at its closest-ever setting for two consecutive years underscores a deepening sense of crisis.

A Triad of Threats:

The Bulletin's statement points to three primary drivers of this continued escalation. The first, and historically the clock's initial focus, is nuclear risk. The situation in Ukraine remains volatile, with continued military support flowing to both sides, exacerbating tensions with Russia and raising the spectre of escalation. While direct nuclear conflict remains (hopefully) unlikely, the erosion of established arms control treaties - including the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty and the New START treaty, the latter now facing further complications due to geopolitical maneuvering - is deeply concerning. Furthermore, numerous nations are actively modernizing their nuclear arsenals, creating a more dangerous and unstable landscape. The development of new, more sophisticated nuclear weapons systems, including hypersonic missiles and low-yield tactical weapons, further lowers the threshold for potential use. Intelligence reports suggest a proliferation of nuclear materials is also underway, increasing the risk of non-state actors acquiring these devastating weapons.

Secondly, climate change continues to accelerate, defying previous optimistic projections. 2025 saw a record number of climate-related disasters - from catastrophic flooding in Southeast Asia to unprecedented heatwaves in Europe and North America. The scientific consensus is overwhelming: global temperatures are rising at an alarming rate, leading to more frequent and intense extreme weather events, sea-level rise, and disruptions to ecosystems. Despite commitments made under the Paris Agreement, global emissions are not falling fast enough to limit warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, and even the current pledges fall far short of what's needed. The consequences of inaction are increasingly visible and devastating, fueling migration, resource conflicts, and political instability.

Finally, the rapid advancement of disruptive technologies, particularly in the field of artificial intelligence (AI), introduces a new layer of complexity and risk. While AI offers immense potential benefits - in areas such as healthcare, energy, and education - it also presents significant challenges. Concerns abound regarding algorithmic bias, job displacement, and the potential for autonomous weapons systems. The unchecked development of increasingly sophisticated AI systems could lead to unintended consequences, including the erosion of trust in institutions, the spread of misinformation, and the amplification of existing inequalities. The ethical and regulatory frameworks needed to govern these technologies are lagging far behind their development.

The Erosion of Global Cooperation

The Bulletin's report doesn't solely focus on these specific threats. It also emphasizes a critical underlying factor: the decline in international cooperation. Geopolitical tensions, nationalism, and a growing distrust between nations are hindering efforts to address these shared challenges. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed the fragility of global supply chains and the difficulty of coordinating a collective response to a global crisis. The rise of protectionism and the weakening of international institutions further complicate matters. Without effective diplomacy, collaboration, and a commitment to multilateralism, tackling these existential threats becomes exponentially more difficult.

A Path Forward?

Despite the bleak outlook, the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists insists that it is not too late to avert disaster. They call for concrete actions, including:

• Reinvigorating Arms Control: Renewing and strengthening existing arms control treaties and pursuing new agreements to limit the proliferation of nuclear weapons.
• Accelerating the Clean Energy Transition: Investing massively in renewable energy sources and phasing out fossil fuels.
• Regulating AI: Developing robust ethical guidelines and regulations for the development and deployment of artificial intelligence.
• Strengthening International Cooperation: Rebuilding trust and fostering collaboration between nations to address shared challenges.

The Doomsday Clock isn't a prediction of inevitable catastrophe; it's a call to action. It's a reminder that the future of humanity hangs in the balance, and that urgent, concerted effort is needed to steer the world away from the brink.