Douglas McIntyre explains the history and significance of the Doomsday Clock, which was recently set to 89 seconds to midnight—the closest ever. Originally created by atomic scientists, the clock now reflects growing concerns about climate change,

The Doomsday Clock, a symbolic measure of humanity's proximity to catastrophic destruction, has been set at 89 seconds to midnight—the closest it has ever been, symbolizing humanity's shortest margin from potential catastrophe since the clock's creation.

On January 28, the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists updated the Doomsday Clock from 90 to 89 seconds until "midnight," as world-ending threats continue escalating at

Iconic Doomsday Clock moves one second closer to midnight as global existential threats rage. Clock factors include nuclear weapons, climate crisis, artificial intelligence, infectious diseases, and conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East.

The Doomsday Clock has been updated to reflected that we are closer to the end of the world. Learn more about the metaphorical clock.

The metaphorical clock on the University of Chicago campus ticked forward to 89 seconds to midnight, the closest it has been since it was created in 1947.

The Doomsday Clock was first created in 1947 during the Cold War, originally set at seven minutes to midnight

Earth is moving closer to destruction, a science-oriented advocacy group said Tuesday as it advanced its famous “Doomsday Clock” to 89 seconds till midnight, the closest it has ever been.

In a statement outlining the change, the Board highlighted three main reasons for “moving the Doomsday Clock from 90 seconds to 89 seconds to midnight.” These include ongoing nuclear risks, accelerating climate disasters, and emerging biological and technological dangers.

The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists shifted the hands of the symbolic clock to 89 seconds to midnight, citing the threat of climate change, nuclear war and the misuse of artificial intelligence.

The Doomsday Clock is a metaphor for how close the world is to being inhabitable for humanity. Scientists just set the new time for 2025.