If you’ve ever heard the term “Doomsday Clock” and brushed it off as something out of a sci-fi movie, you’re not alone. The Doomsday Clock is a metaphorical clock that represents how close humanity is to a global catastrophe—often, this catastrophe is tied to nuclear weapons, climate change, or other existential threats.  

It was first created in 1947 by scientists behind the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, (which is basically a fancy, science newspaper) and since then, it has been moved closer or further from a fixed "midnight" based on the state of global security and environmental conditions. 

89 Seconds to Midnight 

In the last few years, the Doomsday Clock has been ticking dangerously close back to midnight, making the full rotation around the face of the metaphorical clock. In fact, it's never been closer than it is today—set at just 89 seconds to midnight. That's a chilling thought. But more importantly, it’s a reminder that we (yes, you and I and everyone else on Earth right now) are living in a critical moment for the future of our planet. And sure, while global politics, nuclear war, and technological booms contribute to this, one of the most pressing issues is environmental degradation, which, despite being harder to pinpoint, is just as urgent. 

Now look, I know it might feel better to check out and pretend that this isn’t happening—like a cavity that you ignore so that you don’t have to go to the dentist. I’m guilty of this, I’ll admit. But without active participation in solving this issue, we can only expect things to keep getting worse.  

The Environmental Crisis  

The boom in technology over the past few decades has led to advancements in our lifetimes that our parents’ generation could never have imagined. And while these have been largely helpful, the problem is that along with these advancements, we’ve unknowingly created a massive environmental burden. Our current demand for technology is unsustainable—and the production, disposal, and recycling of these devices have led to some severe environmental consequences. 

Take e-waste, for example. E-waste, which includes everything from broken smartphones to old computers, is now one of the fastest-growing waste categories in the world. According to the UN, over 50 million metric tons of e-waste are generated each year, and most of it ends up in landfills or incinerators. Many of these devices contain harmful substances like mercury, lead, and cadmium, which leach into the ground and water supply, contaminating the environment and causing health issues for nearby communities. 

And it's not just technology—landfills themselves are a massive environmental issue. Globally, landfills release millions of tons of methane gas, a greenhouse gas that is far more damaging than carbon dioxide. It’s clear that our habits and consumer culture are doing irreparable damage to the environment, and the technological boom has only made things worse. But what can we actually do about it?  

The Power of Recycling... And Why it Feels Useless? 

As individuals, many of us try to do our part. We recycle when we can, we reduce our waste, and we try to be more mindful of our consumption. But even with all that effort, it can often feel like it’s not enough. “One person can’t make a difference,” we tell ourselves. And honestly, it’s hard not to feel that way when you’re looking at the global scale of pollution. 

The thing is recycling does make a difference—but it’s not a silver bullet. For example, when we recycle plastic, the material gets a second life and can be used to make new products, reducing the need for new raw materials and preventing more plastic from entering the landfill or ocean. But the process of recycling itself isn’t always as efficient or impactful as we hope. Many items aren’t recycled properly because of contamination (like food residue on pizza boxes) or because the local recycling programs simply don’t accept certain materials. Add to that the fact that plastic recycling rates globally remain staggeringly low—just 9% of all plastic ever produced has been recycled—and it’s no wonder that many people start to feel hopeless. 

But we can’t let that hopelessness win. Yes, it’s hard to change habits on a personal level, and there are flaws in recycling systems around the world, but it’s not pointless. By recycling correctly, supporting companies that take responsibility for their environmental footprint, and reducing our consumption, we are all playing a role.  

Corporate Responsibility: A Bigger Picture 

While we as individuals are doing our best, the cold reality is that corporations are responsible for a large chunk of the waste we see in the world. According to a 2020 report from Greenpeace, just 20 companies are responsible for nearly half of the world’s plastic waste. Companies like Coca-Cola, Nestlé, and PepsiCo are among the biggest contributors to plastic pollution, and their business models rely on constant production of single-use plastic products, which end up in landfills or the ocean.  

This is where the issue gets tricky. Individual action alone can only go so far when massive corporations are the ones responsible for a significant portion of global waste. But here’s the thing: as employees in these companies and of other, likely much smaller corporations that still provide waste, we have an opportunity to make change from within. 

Making Change from the Inside Out 

While it might feel like one person in a massive corporation doesn’t have much power, the good news is that we don’t have to be the CEO or the head of sustainability to make an impact. There are plenty of ways we, as employees, can push for change, whether we’re working in tech, retail, or manufacturing. 

Start by educating yourself about your company’s environmental policies. Is there a sustainability task force? Are there policies in place to reduce waste? If not, ask why. Don’t be afraid to voice your concerns and suggest greener alternatives. It might not always be easy, but having a discussion with your manager or HR about your company’s environmental footprint can be the first step. 

Additionally, encourage your company to look into ways to incorporate circular practices—whether it's through reusing materials in manufacturing, designing products that are easier to recycle, or exploring the concept of product take-back programs. The shift to a circular economy is something many businesses are beginning to take seriously, so there’s room to make a difference. 

Final Thoughts 

The Doomsday Clock is ticking closer to midnight, but we still have time to make a difference. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the scale of environmental destruction and corporate responsibility, but it’s important to remember that change is possible—and it starts with both personal and collective action. Yes, you should recycle, but that’s just the beginning. By pushing for change in the workplace, advocating for sustainability, and holding corporations accountable, we can collectively have a much greater impact than we might realize.