The Bulletin of Atomic Scientists sets the global "Doomsday Clock" 90 seconds to midnight
by Alaina Coats
January 28, 2026
According to the foundation of The Bulletin of Atomic Scientists, it's 90 seconds to midnight; and when the clocks strikes 12, we're "doomed."
This group of scientists created this metaphorical Doomsday Clock to alert the world that if we fail to care for our planet, humanity could face an apocalypse caused by man-made threats in the very near future.
The scientists cite nuclear escalation, global war, climate change, and disruptive AI technologies as the primary threats to the world's demise.
The clock was originally set at seven minutes to midnight in 1947, following World War II, by J. Robert Oppenheimer and Albert Einstein. Midnight represents complete annihilation, while the minute hand reflects shifting global events.
Here are the top three things that can be done globally to prevent doomsday:
Support science, diplomacy, and prevention
Prevent global conflicts
. Monitor AI and misinformation
