The Doomsday Clock, also referred to as the Clock of the Final Judgment, is a symbolic representation developed over fifty years ago by the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists. This clock serves as an indicator of how close humanity is to triggering a self-inflicted global catastrophe.
In its most recent update on January 29, 2026, the clock was set to 85 seconds before midnight, with midnight symbolizing the complete destruction of human civilization. This adjustment places us at the closest point to the "end of the world" in the almost 80-year history of this unique scientific creation.
The Origins of the Doomsday Clock
The Doomsday Clock was established in 1947 by scientists connected to the Manhattan Project, including collaborators of Albert Einstein and J. Robert Oppenheimer. It was intended as a public warning following the deployment of nuclear weapons in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Since its inception, the clock's hands have been adjusted to reflect global existential threats.
Today, the clock measures more than just nuclear threats. The Bulletin evaluates climate change, the rise of disruptive technologies like artificial intelligence and biotechnology, and the erosion of international cooperation. Recently, Daniel Holz, chairman of the Bulletin's Science and Security Board, cautioned against "dangerous trends" fueled by the rise of nationalist autocracies and increasing confrontational dynamics between global blocs.
Alexandra Bell, the Bulletin's president and CEO, remarked, "These issues may seem overwhelming, but we can turn back the Clock of the Final Judgment, and we have done so before... No one can do everything, but everyone can do something."
Factors Influencing the Clock
Scientists explain that the clock advances towards midnight due to a combination of factors:
- Escalating tensions among nuclear powers
- Insufficient action against global warming
- Rapid development of technologies without clear regulatory frameworks
- Fragmentation of the international order into an "us versus them" mentality
Does the Cuban Crisis Affect the Doomsday Clock?
No, the current tensions between Cuba and the United States do not directly impact the Doomsday Clock. Although the U.S. has declared a national emergency in response to what it describes as an "unusual and extraordinary threat" from the Cuban regime due to its alliances with Russia, China, Iran, and groups like Hezbollah and Hamas, these factors do not specifically influence the clock's adjustment.
The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists does not assess sanctions, political statements, or national legal frameworks but rather focuses on global risks capable of causing a planetary catastrophe. In this regard, Cuba does not possess nuclear weapons nor the autonomous capacity to trigger a global escalation.
However, historically, Cuba was significant during the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis, when the deployment of Soviet nuclear weapons on the island brought the world to the brink of nuclear war. This episode profoundly affected global risk perceptions during the Cold War.
The Bulletin emphasizes that the Doomsday Clock is not a prediction but a warning. Its custodians stress that the hands of the clock can be turned back if world leaders cooperate to mitigate existential risks. As it stands, with the clock stopped at 85 seconds to midnight, the scientists' message is explicit: humanity is closer than ever to the brink. The political, technological, and environmental decisions made today will be crucial in averting disaster.
Understanding the Doomsday Clock and Its Implications
What is the primary purpose of the Doomsday Clock?
The Doomsday Clock is a symbolic tool created to raise awareness about the proximity of human-induced global catastrophes, such as nuclear war or environmental collapse.
How does climate change affect the Doomsday Clock?
Climate change is one of the key factors evaluated by the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists when adjusting the clock, as it represents a significant existential threat to global stability.
Why doesn't the Cuban crisis impact the Doomsday Clock?
The Cuban crisis is not directly related to the Doomsday Clock because the clock focuses on global risks with the potential to cause widespread catastrophe, and Cuba lacks nuclear capabilities or the capacity to escalate to a global scale.