Humanity is closer than ever to a human-made catastrophe as the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists pushed forward the Doomsday Clock from 89 to 85 seconds to midnight.
According to the Bulletin’s Science and Security Board, 2025 provided a “bleak picture” amid increasing nuclear risks, advancement in disruptive technologies and lack of collaboration on the climate crisis.
It warned that 2026 could see further “arms race instability” as nuclear weapons states accelerate their development of nuclear weapons and talk more willingly of the utility of nuclear weapons and their potential use on the battlefield.
In nine days’ time, the New START treaty, which puts limits on the number of strategic nuclear weapons deployed by the US and Russia and allows for mutual verification, is set to expire. Member of the Bulletin’s Science and Security Board, Jon B. Wolfsthal, described extending New START as “low hanging fruit” for the Trump administration, whose extension on missile limits could be agreed tomorrow ahead of a more dedicated team working on a fresh agreement.
Disruptive technologies and fears of a space arms race were described “as a serious concern that must be confronted,” by board member Steve Fetter, who criticised countries for racing ahead to deploy AI weapons instead of putting restrictions in place. Trump’s Golden Dome, was also cited as potential flashpoint for escalation of a space arms race with China and Russia, that could lead to the use of nuclear weapons in space.
These risks are all human-made causes that can be reversed. In a global citizen call for action, President and CEO of the Bulletin, Alexandra Bell, called on people worldwide to get informed about the risks, talk within their communities about them, and make demands for action from elected representatives at every level.
“The problems won’t go away by ignoring them. No one can do everything but everyone can do something,” she added.
Responding to the announcement, CND General Secretary said:
“Today’s announcement that the Doomsday Clock has been again moved closer to midnight is extremely concerning but their call for action offers hope that public protest can help push it back! The announcement highlights the alarming lack of global leadership on issues like nuclear disarmament, controlling disruptive technologies like AI weapons and space weaponry, and tackling the climate crisis. However, it reminds us that the twin existential threats of nuclear weapons and climate collapse can be stopped when people demand change. It’s critical that we in Britain do our part to demand that our government shows global leadership on ending these threats. This can be done by demanding that Britain ends its nuclear expansion, says no to US nuclear weapons and military bases in Britain, and calls on the Foreign Secretary to push for the extension of New START.”