Doomsday Clock Text

The Doomsday Clock

THE BULLETIN OF THE ATOMIC SCIENTISTS

Doomsday Clock

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NOTE: This page is IMPORTANT, not just because of the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientist, but rather because, through the various posts below, here is a "To Do" or "What's Wrong" summary list of what we need to fix if we want to survive. 

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Currently, the clock is set at 90 seconds to midnight—the closest it has ever been. To answer you truthfully, I cannot list 200 distinct items without fabricating information, but I can list the specific, high-level factors cited in their most recent statement

**Nuclear Risk**

1. The ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine and the risk of nuclear escalation.

2. Russia's suspension of the New START treaty (the last remaining nuclear arms control treaty between the U.S. and Russia).

3. The deployment of Russian tactical nuclear weapons to Belarus.

4. Extensive modernization and expansion of nuclear arsenals by the United States, Russia, and China.

5. The refusal of nuclear powers to engage in arms control negotiations.

6. North Korea's continued testing of long-range missiles and nuclear rhetoric.

7. Iran's accumulation of enriched uranium, bringing it closer to nuclear weapons capability.

8. Increasing tensions and lack of crisis communication channels between the U.S. and China.

9. The expansion of nuclear capabilities in India and Pakistan.

**Climate Change**

10. 2023 was officially the hottest year on record.

11. Global carbon dioxide emissions continue to rise rather than decline.

12. Insufficient investment in climate financing (helping developing nations transition to green energy).

13. The occurrence of massive climate-related disasters, including floods, fires, and heatwaves across the globe.

14. The continued extraction and production of fossil fuels by major world powers despite climate pledges.

**Biological Threats**

15. The convergence of artificial intelligence with biology, making it easier for bad actors to design biological weapons.

16. The proliferation of high-containment biological laboratories globally without adequate oversight.

17. The continued risk of zoonotic diseases (diseases jumping from animals to humans) causing new pandemics.

**Disruptive Technologies & AI**

18. The rapid advancement of Generative AI leading to the corruption of the information ecosystem.

19. The use of AI to supercharge disinformation campaigns, making it difficult for the public to agree on facts or solve problems.

20. The military use of AI, specifically in autonomous weapons systems (lethal autonomous weapons) that can identify and kill targets without human intervention.

21. A lack of effective global governance or regulation regarding Artificial Intelligence development.

**International Norms**

22. The collapse of international institutions (like the UN Security Council) due to polarization, preventing collective action on global threats.

While this is not a list of 200, these are the factual, core reasons provided by the Concerned Scientists for the current state of the Doomsday Clock.

Based on the 2024–2026 statements from the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists Science and Security Board, the Doomsday Clock was set at 85 seconds to midnight in January 2026 (an advance from the 90 seconds in 2023-2025) due to converging, unprecedented risks. The scientists are primarily concerned with the acceleration of nuclear, climate, and technological threats, coupled with a breakdown in global cooperation. 

Below are the top categories and specific undesired consequences highlighting the dangers:

Nuclear Risk and Escalation (The "New Nuclear Age")

1. Direct Nuclear Escalation: Increased likelihood of nuclear weapon use in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
2. Collapse of Arms Control: Breakdown of treaties, including the suspension of New START by Russia.
3. Three-Way Nuclear Arms Race: Massive modernization programs by the US, Russia, and China.
4. Withdrawal from Test Bans: Russia's revocation of ratification for the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty.
5. Expansion of Arsenals: Increases in nuclear capabilities by China and Russia.
6. "Nuclear Signaling": Frequent, dangerous, and implicit references to nuclear weapon use by world leaders.
7. Nuclear Proliferation: Concerns over Iran continuing to enrich uranium to near-weapons grade.
8. Regional Conflicts: Escalation of the Israel-Hamas war into a wider, potentially nuclear-armed Middle Eastern conflict.
9. South Asian Tension: Nuclear expansion between India and Pakistan.
10. The "Antechamber" Crisis: A pervasive sense of imminent nuclear crisis with no effective diplomacy to halt it. 

Climate Change and Environmental Destruction

1. Record-Breaking Heat: 2024 was the hottest year on record.
2. Rising Emissions: Greenhouse gas emissions reaching all-time highs.
3. Insufficient Emissions Reduction: Failure of nations to meet Paris Agreement goals.
4. Extreme Weather Events: Increased frequency of floods, heat waves, and droughts on every continent.
5. Arctic/Antarctic Ice Melt: Record low levels of Antarctic sea ice.
6. Deforestation and Urbanization: Destabilizing natural ecosystems.
7. Fossil Fuel Investment: Continued high investment in fossil fuels despite the need for green energy.
8. Ineffective Climate Governance: Failure of global leaders to enact sufficient policy to curb warming.
9. Disproportionate Impact: Climate damage heavily affecting the world's poorest populations.
10. Loss of Biodiversity: Widespread environmental damage disrupting ecosystems. 

Disruptive Technologies and Artificial Intelligence (AI) 

1. AI-Driven Disinformation: AI accelerating the spread of misinformation, weakening democracy.
2. Military AI Acceleration: Rapid, unregulated integration of AI into intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance.
3. Lethal Autonomous Weapons: AI systems designed to identify and destroy targets without human intervention.
4. AI in Nuclear Command: The threat of AI being given control over nuclear weapon systems.
5. Misuse of Biotechnology: AI helping individuals design new, dangerous pathogens.
6. AI Safety Deregulation: The rolling back of AI safety initiatives, such as the revocation of Biden-era executive orders.
7. "Mirror Life" Threats: Potential risks from lab-synthesized "mirror bacteria" which could evade natural controls.
8. Accelerating Technological Speed: Technology developing faster than the ability to govern it.
9. Cyber Warfare: Increased risk of cyberattacks disrupting critical infrastructure.
10. Erosion of Truth: AI-fueled disinformation making it harder to address other global crises. 

Biological Threats and Public Health

1. Pathogen Lab Proliferation: Increase in high-containment labs globally, enhancing accident risk.
2. Accidental Release: Insufficient safety standards in laboratories handling dangerous organisms.
3. Natural Pandemics: Increased emergence of infectious diseases due to climate/environmental shifts.
4. Pandemic Preparedness Failure: Lack of readiness for new, highly infectious outbreaks (e.g., mpox).
5. Weakening Bio-Norms: Erosion of international mechanisms against biological weapons.
6. Avian Flu Concerns: Bird flu mutating in animal populations, threatening a jump to humans.
7. Vaccine Hesitancy Leadership: Political figures promoting doubt about effective, preventative health measures.
8. Unreported Diseases: Mysterious outbreaks (e.g., killing children) not being reported to global authorities.
9. Biosecurity Failures: Lack of oversight in advanced life science research.
10. Weakening of Global Health Agreements: Declining international cooperation on health crises. 

Geopolitical Instability and Failures of Leadership 

1. Rise of Autocracies: Increase in authoritarian, nationalist, and aggressive governments worldwide.
2. "Us-versus-Them" Mentality: Shift toward zero-sum geopolitical approaches.
3. Breakdown of International Cooperation: Inability of nations to act together on shared, existential threats.
4. Aggressive Great Power Competition: Adversarial relations between the US, China, and Russia.
5. Failure of Political Leadership: Leaders failing to prioritize the safety of human civilization.
6. Weakening Democracy: Threats to free elections and democratic institutions.
7. Misinformation Explosion: Disinformation blurring the line between fact and fantasy.
8. Economic Strain on Info Services: Job cuts and closures in news outlets leading to less informed publics.
9. "Madness" of Current Policy: The continued pursuit of unsustainable, risky national strategies.
10. Ignoring the Warning: Failure to act on previous Doomsday Clock warnings. 

Below are the top categories and 50 specific undesired consequences highlighting the dangers:Nuclear Risk and Escalation (The "New Nuclear Age")Direct Nuclear Escalation: Increased likelihood of nuclear weapon use in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.Collapse of Arms Control: Breakdown of treaties, including the suspension of New START by Russia.Three-Way Nuclear Arms Race: Massive modernization programs by the US, Russia, and China.Withdrawal from Test Bans: Russia's revocation of ratification for the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty.Expansion of Arsenals: Increases in nuclear capabilities by China and Russia."Nuclear Signaling": Frequent, dangerous, and implicit references to nuclear weapon use by world leaders.Nuclear Proliferation: Concerns over Iran continuing to enrich uranium to near-weapons grade.Regional Conflicts: Escalation of the Israel-Hamas war into a wider, potentially nuclear-armed Middle Eastern conflict.South Asian Tension: Nuclear expansion between India and Pakistan.The "Antechamber" Crisis: A pervasive sense of imminent nuclear crisis with no effective diplomacy to halt it. Climate Change and Environmental DestructionRecord-Breaking Heat: 2024 was the hottest year on record.Rising Emissions: Greenhouse gas emissions reaching all-time highs.Insufficient Emissions Reduction: Failure of nations to meet Paris Agreement goals.Extreme Weather Events: Increased frequency of floods, heat waves, and droughts on every continent.Arctic/Antarctic Ice Melt: Record low levels of Antarctic sea ice.Deforestation and Urbanization: Destabilizing natural ecosystems.Fossil Fuel Investment: Continued high investment in fossil fuels despite the need for green energy.Ineffective Climate Governance: Failure of global leaders to enact sufficient policy to curb warming.Disproportionate Impact: Climate damage heavily affecting the world's poorest populations.Loss of Biodiversity: Widespread environmental damage disrupting ecosystems. Disruptive Technologies and Artificial Intelligence (AI) AI-Driven Disinformation: AI accelerating the spread of misinformation, weakening democracy.Military AI Acceleration: Rapid, unregulated integration of AI into intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance.Lethal Autonomous Weapons: AI systems designed to identify and destroy targets without human intervention.AI in Nuclear Command: The threat of AI being given control over nuclear weapon systems.Misuse of Biotechnology: AI helping individuals design new, dangerous pathogens.AI Safety Deregulation: The rolling back of AI safety initiatives, such as the revocation of Biden-era executive orders."Mirror Life" Threats: Potential risks from lab-synthesized "mirror bacteria" which could evade natural controls.Accelerating Technological Speed: Technology developing faster than the ability to govern it.Cyber Warfare: Increased risk of cyberattacks disrupting critical infrastructure.Erosion of Truth: AI-fueled disinformation making it harder to address other global crises. Biological Threats and Public HealthPathogen Lab Proliferation: Increase in high-containment labs globally, enhancing accident risk.Accidental Release: Insufficient safety standards in laboratories handling dangerous organisms.Natural Pandemics: Increased emergence of infectious diseases due to climate/environmental shifts.Pandemic Preparedness Failure: Lack of readiness for new, highly infectious outbreaks (e.g., mpox).Weakening Bio-Norms: Erosion of international mechanisms against biological weapons.Avian Flu Concerns: Bird flu mutating in animal populations, threatening a jump to humans.Vaccine Hesitancy Leadership: Political figures promoting doubt about effective, preventative health measures.Unreported Diseases: Mysterious outbreaks (e.g., killing children) not being reported to global authorities.Biosecurity Failures: Lack of oversight in advanced life science research.Weakening of Global Health Agreements: Declining international cooperation on health crises. Geopolitical Instability and Failures of Leadership Rise of Autocracies: Increase in authoritarian, nationalist, and aggressive governments worldwide."Us-versus-Them" Mentality: Shift toward zero-sum geopolitical approaches.Breakdown of International Cooperation: Inability of nations to act together on shared, existential threats.Aggressive Great Power Competition: Adversarial relations between the US, China, and Russia.Failure of Political Leadership: Leaders failing to prioritize the safety of human civilization.Weakening Democracy: Threats to free elections and democratic institutions.Misinformation Explosion: Disinformation blurring the line between fact and fantasy.Economic Strain on Info Services: Job cuts and closures in news outlets leading to less informed publics."Madness" of Current Policy: The continued pursuit of unsustainable, risky national strategies.Ignoring the Warning: Failure to act on previous Doomsday Clock warnings. 

Based on reports from the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS), the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists (Doomsday Clock), and global scientific consensus, here are 20 of the top undesired consequences, threats, and risks that scientists are deeply worried about:

Climate Change and Environmental Destruction

1. Irreversible Tipping Points: Crossing thresholds that cause uncontrollable, cascading damage, such as the collapse of major ice sheets or the turning of the Amazon from forest to savanna.
2. Unprecedented Sea Level Rise: Melting ice sheets and glaciers causing 1 to 6.6 feet of sea-level rise by 2100, displacing hundreds of millions in coastal areas.
3. Widespread Extinction Events: Losing 1 million species within the next few decades due to habitat loss, climate change, and overexploitation.
4. Ocean Acidification and Collapse: Absorption of CO2 by oceans killing coral reefs and destroying marine food webs.
5. Megadroughts and Water Scarcity: Intense, prolonged droughts affecting drinking water and agriculture, affecting 2 billion people currently without safe water.
6. Extreme Heat Waves ("Killer Heat"): Unbearable daily temperatures causing high mortality rates, particularly among the elderly and outdoor workers.
7. Increased Wildfire Intensity/Frequency: A 500% increase in burned area in regions like California, with fires becoming more destructive, costly, and frequent.
8. Global Food Insecurity: Declining agricultural productivity due to heat stress and drought, threatening global food supplies and driving up prices.
9. Permafrost Thawing: Releasing massive amounts of trapped greenhouse gases (methane/CO2), creating a feedback loop of accelerated warming.
10. Intensifying Cyclones/Hurricanes: Warmer ocean waters making tropical cyclones wetter, stronger, and more capable of rapid intensification. 

Nuclear and Biological Security
11. Nuclear War Escalation: Increased risk of nuclear weapons use, with potential for total destruction and long-term, global humanitarian consequences.
12. Accidental/Intentional Pandemic Disease: The rapid spread of new, emerging, or engineered infectious diseases due to high-risk research or lack of oversight.
13. Misuse of Biotechnology (CRISPR): Unintended consequences of gene editing, including the potential to permanently alter or destroy ecosystems. 

Societal, Economic, and Technological Threats
14. Misinformation and Disinformation: Erosion of trust in science, democracy, and evidence-based decisionmaking.
15. Data Center/AI Energy Spikes: Surging, unmitigated demand from artificial intelligence (AI) data centers overwhelming electric grids and increasing pollution.
16. Disruption of Democracy: Increased political polarization and the rise of leaders who ignore scientific evidence.
17. Economic Disruption from Extreme Weather: $500 billion+ annual costs to the U.S. economy by 2100 due to climate impacts.
18. Unintended Consequences of AI/Automation: Risks from unregulated AI, including cybersecurity threats, warfare, and job displacement.
19. Disproportionate Impact on Vulnerable Populations: Low-income and marginalized communities bearing the brunt of heat, pollution, and disaster recovery.
20. Loss of Scientific Integrity/Budget Cuts: Political interference and cuts to research (e.g., 2,000+ canceled research grants) preventing the understanding of crucial threats. 

Humanity is closer to destroying itself, according to atomic scientists who revealed on Tuesday that the famous “Doomsday Clock” was set at 85 seconds to midnight — the closest it has been in the nearly 80-year history of the clock. The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, a science-oriented advocacy group, made the announcement on Tuesday, metaphorically rating how close humankind is to annihilating itself with human-made advancements. Midnight represents the point at which humans will have made Earth unlivable.Edit Text

READ DOWN THIS PAGE. THE DOOMSDAY CLOCK IS REAL. LEARN HOW AND WHY WE ARE CLOSER "TO MIDNIGHT' THEN EVER SINCE 1947.

On January 27, 2026, the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists moved the Doomsday Clock to 85 seconds to midnight, the closest it has ever been to catastrophe in its 79-year history. The decision reflects a judgment that humanity is under severe, compounding, and unmanaged risks. 

Here are the 10 most relevant factors for this shift, based on the 2026 announcement:

1. Collapse of International Cooperation & Rising NationalismWhy it matters: Major powers (U.S., China, Russia) are acting more aggressively and nationalistically, breaking down the diplomatic framework necessary to address global, existential threats.
2. Nuclear Escalation Risk in UkraineWhy it matters: The ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, now in its third year, poses a continuous risk of escalating into a direct confrontation between NATO and Russia, possibly involving nuclear weapons.
3. Expansion of Nuclear ArsenalsWhy it matters: Countries possessing nuclear weapons are increasing the size and role of their arsenals, investing hundreds of billions to modernize systems rather than reducing risk.
4. Imminent Expiration of New START TreatyWhy it matters: The potential end of the New START treaty between the U.S. and Russia, which limits their nuclear stockpiles and allows for verification, removes a crucial check against runaway nuclear arms racing.
5. Rising Conflict in the Middle EastWhy it matters: The ongoing war in Gaza and regional escalations threaten to draw in more nations and escalate into a wider, uncontrollable regional conflict.
6. Under-Regulated Artificial Intelligence (AI)Why it matters: The development of AI is outpacing regulation, with increasing integration of AI in military applications and command-and-control systems, increasing the likelihood of accidents or miscalculations.
7. AI-Driven Disinformation and MisinformationWhy it matters: The proliferation of AI-powered misinformation is disrupting public discourse and undermining the ability of societies to effectively tackle urgent, evidence-based threats.
8. Insufficient Action on Climate ChangeWhy it matters: Global efforts to curb greenhouse gas emissions remain inadequate, resulting in accelerating physical climate impacts such as extreme heatwaves, droughts, and floods.
9. Dismantling of Climate Policy and Renewable EnergyWhy it matters: Specific, targeted actions by world leaders to boost fossil fuel production and hinder renewable energy development are actively reversing progress on reducing carbon emissions.
10. Misuse of Biological TechnologiesWhy it matters: The rapid advancement in biotechnology increases the risk of engineered pathogens, while global readiness to manage new, severe biological threats (whether natural or manufactured) remains weak. 

The Bulletin emphasizes that the clock is not just a measure of danger, but a call to action. The decision reflects the belief that while the threats are man-made, they are also within human power to reverse. 

Based on the 2025 and 2026 updates, the Doomsday Clock has been set at record-breaking, perilous levels due to intensifying nuclear threats, climate change, and advancements in disruptive technologies like AI. The clock matters because it serves as a "doctor's diagnosis" of the world’s health, urging global leaders and citizens to act before catastrophe becomes inevitable. 

The Doomsday Clock is a symbolic, expert-driven, and internationally recognized, annual assessment from the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists that acts as a vital tool for public awareness and policy advocacy regarding existential risks. Set by a Science and Security Board, including Nobel laureates, it highlights the proximity to global catastrophe from nuclear threats, climate change, and disruptive technologies. As of 2025, it is set at 89 seconds to midnight—the closest to annihilation in its history—acting as an urgent, non-governmental call for action. 

Tools for Awareness and Advocacy

• Symbolic Urgency: By moving the hands, the Clock translates complex, abstract, or long-term scientific data about global risk into a simple, time-based, and urgent warning.
• Expert Consensus: The Bulletin's Science and Security Board provides a, evidence-based, and non-partisan assessment that brings credibility to the urgent need for action on nuclear disarmament and environmental policy.
• Focus on Specific Threats: The annual announcement highlights current perils, such as the Russia-Ukraine war, nuclear proliferation, and climate-related disasters, bringing them to the forefront of public discourse.
• Advocacy Trigger: It serves as a rallying point for activists and scientists, such as Physicians for Social Responsibility and the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN), to pressure governments for change. 

Effectiveness in Influencing Policy Decisions
The effectiveness of the Doomsday Clock is hard to measure directly, but it is considered a significant, albeit indirect, force in global security discussions. 

• Pressure on Leadership: The clock functions as a baseline for measuring leader competence in controlling nuclear and environmental risks.
• Historical Impact: The clock has been cited in discussions regarding key arms control treaties, such as the New START treaty.
• Raising the Alarm: While not always forcing immediate policy changes, it has been successful in setting the agenda, forcing politicians to address topics like climate change and artificial intelligence risks by framing them as existential threats.
• Highlighting Inaction: The 2020-2025 settings reflect a "state of emergency" due to the inaction of global leaders, putting pressure on them to prioritize long-term safety over immediate political or military gain. 

The Clock’s power lies not in direct legislative authority, but in its ability to influence public opinion and, by extension, create pressure that compels policymakers to take action. 

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Here are the top 5 sources/articles analyzing why the Doomsday Clock matters:

1. Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists (2025 & 2026 Statements)Why it Matters: These primary sources (by the creators of the clock) state that the 2025/2026 times (89/85 seconds to midnight) represent an "unprecedented risk" and a "broken" international order, focusing on the Russia-Ukraine war, China-US-Russia nuclear modernization, and unchecked AI advancement. They emphasize that the clock is a tool to spark conversation and force action from world leaders.Source: 2025/2026 Doomsday Clock Statement - Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists
2. CNN: "Doomsday Clock 2025: Scientists set new time" (Jan 28, 2025)Why it Matters: This article highlights that the clock isn't just about nuclear war, but acts as a "threat multiplier" for climate change and AI. It quotes scientists who say the world is "perilously close to the precipice," making it a crucial alarm system for global stability.Source: CNN (Doomsday Clock 2025: Scientists set new time)
3. NPR: "The Doomsday Clock has never been closer to metaphorical midnight. What does it mean?" (Jan 29, 2025)Why it Matters: NPR explains that the clock's move to seconds (89 seconds) instead of minutes reflects the accelerated pace of danger. It acts as a wake-up call, emphasizing that while it is an "imperfect metaphor," it forces attention on urgent, existential risks.Source: Houston Public Media/NPR (The Doomsday Clock has never been closer to metaphorical midnight)
4. Time Magazine: "'Doomsday Clock' Moves Closer to Midnight Than Ever" (Jan 27, 2026)Why it Matters: This article focuses on the "information armageddon" mentioned by Nobel Laureate Maria Ressa, explaining how AI and misinformation are destroying the shared reality needed to solve global crises. It emphasizes that the clock matters because it highlights how technology is outpacing regulation.Source: Time (Doomsday Clock Moves Closer to Midnight Than Ever)
5. UChicago News: "The Doomsday Clock, explained" (Jan 26, 2021/Updated)Why it Matters: This article provides historical context, explaining that the clock was created by Manhattan Project scientists who feared their inventions. It highlights the role of Nobel laureates in setting the time, emphasizing its function as a "diagnostic" tool to warn the public of man-made threats.Source: UChicago News (The Doomsday Clock, explained) 

Key Reasons the Doomsday Clock Matters (2025-2026):

• Warns of Impending Catastrophe: It signals that the world is in a "true emergency".
• Focuses on Multiple Threats: It highlights nuclear war, climate change, AI, and biological threats.
• Spurs Action: It is designed to inspire lobbying and public awareness.
• Highlights "Threat Multipliers": It calls attention to how disinformation undermines the ability to handle crises. 

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One Earth One Chance

Why is 2026 the closest to midnight since 1947?

AI Generated by USA TODAY

In 2026, the Doomsday Clock was set to 85 seconds to midnight, marking the closest point to "midnight" (symbolizing human-caused global catastrophe) since its inception in 1947. This new record proximity is attributed to a combination of rising "catastrophic risks," including nuclear tensions, climate change, unregulated technological advances, widespread misinformation, and especially a "failure of leadership" among global powers like the United States, Russia, and China, as explained by the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists.

The decision to move the Clock forward by four seconds from 2025, when it was 89 seconds to midnight, followed a year where vital collaboration and action on existential threats did not materialize. Key drivers cited for 2026 included increased danger from nuclear conflict, climate change, disruptive technologies such as advanced artificial intelligence, and growing attacks on science and diplomacy. The Science and Security Boardresponsible for the Clock’s setting noted that cooperation among world leaders is declining, which heightens humanity’s vulnerability to disaster. Each year, the Board reviews the latest developments and threats to adjust the Clock, aiming to inspire urgent action toward global safety.

This symbolic clock, maintained since 1947, is set independently from governments by leading scientists, including Nobel laureates, who weigh world trends and events such as arms control breakdowns and active nuclear conflicts. The consistent movement toward midnight in recent years reflects a consensus that the world is currently on an "unsustainable trajectory," with the 2026 assessment warning that time for corrective action is fast running out

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