Doomsday Clock facts for kids

The Doomsday Clock is a symbol that shows how close humanity might be to a big, human-caused disaster. It represents threats like nuclear war or climate change that could cause serious harm to our world.

This clock has been kept by a group called the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists since 1947. They are based at the University of Chicago in Chicago, Illinois, United States. The clock is a way to warn people about dangers to our planet.

When the clock was first set in 1947, it was 7 minutes to midnight. Midnight means a global catastrophe. Since then, the time has moved closer to midnight many times. It has also moved further away sometimes. The furthest it has ever been from midnight was 17 minutes in 1991. The closest it has ever been is 89 seconds, set in January 2025.

The clock moved to 2 minutes and 30 seconds to midnight in 2017. Then it moved even closer, to 2 minutes to midnight, in 2018. It stayed there in 2019. In 2020, it moved to 1 minute and 40 seconds to midnight. In 2023, it was set to 1 minute and 30 seconds. By 2025, it was just 1 minute and 29 seconds to midnight.

What is the Doomsday Clock?

The Doomsday Clock shows how close the world is to a global disaster. It uses minutes or seconds to midnight to show this. The scientists change the time each January. When the clock reaches midnight, it means a major event that could harm humanity is very near.

Why Does the Clock Change Time?

The main reasons the clock's time changes are two big threats. One is the danger of nuclear weapons. These are very powerful weapons that could cause huge destruction. The other major reason is climate change. This refers to big, long-term changes in Earth's weather patterns. Both of these issues could cause serious problems for everyone on Earth.

History of the Clock's Time

Doomsday Clock graph, 1947–2023. This graph shows how the clock's time has changed over the years. When the line goes down, it means the scientists believe the world is closer to danger. When the line goes up, it means they think the danger has lessened.

The Doomsday Clock has moved many times since it started. Each change reflects the scientists' view of global dangers. They look at world events and political situations. This helps them decide if the world is safer or more at risk.

For example, the clock moved far from midnight in 1991. This was after the Cold War ended, and the risk of a major nuclear conflict seemed lower. However, in recent years, it has moved much closer to midnight. This shows growing concerns about nuclear risks and the effects of climate change.