‘Doomsday Clock’ moves closer to midnight over threats from nuclear weapons, climate change and AI

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illuminem summarises for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on the Associated Press or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists has moved its symbolic Doomsday Clock to 85 seconds to midnight, the closest point ever
• The shift reflects escalating risks from nuclear weapons, climate change, artificial intelligence and geopolitical conflict
• Scientists warn that global cooperation is eroding as major powers become more adversarial and nationalistic
• Last year, the clock stood at 89 seconds to midnight

🔭 The context: The Doomsday Clock has tracked existential threats since 1947
• Current concerns include the Russia–Ukraine war, India–Pakistan tensions, nuclear proliferation risks, and unchecked AI deployment
• Scientists say “winner-takes-all” geopolitics is undermining international agreements needed to reduce global risks
• Climate-related disasters are intensifying amid stalled global climate action

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Climate change is now a central driver of existential risk
• Rising droughts, floods and heatwaves increase global instability and strain food, water and energy systems
• Scientists highlight failures to curb fossil fuel expansion and accelerate clean energy deployment
• Weak climate cooperation amplifies other risks, as environmental stress can worsen conflict and undermine global resilience

⏭️ What’s next: Scientists stress the clock can still be turned back
• Reducing emissions, strengthening climate agreements and accelerating clean energy are seen as critical steps
• Renewed international cooperation is essential to lowering combined environmental, technological and security risks

💬 One quote: “If the world splinters into an us-versus-them, zero-sum approach, it increases the likelihood that we all lose,” — Daniel Holz, Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists

📈 One stat: 85 seconds to midnight — the closest the Doomsday Clock has ever been

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