The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists moved the Doomsday Clock to 85 seconds to midnight on January 27, the closest it has been to the metaphorical point of global catastrophe. The clock's movement is a response to escalating nuclear tensions and climate change, which are seen as existential threats to humanity.

The Doomsday Clock has been a symbol of the threat of nuclear war since its creation in 1947, and has been moved back and forth over the years to reflect changes in the global security landscape. The clock's movement has validated major arms control treaties and condemned dangerous escalations, but its effectiveness in driving change is limited by political gridlock and the normalization of danger.

The clock's creators had hoped that by showing people a frightening picture of their future, they would demand change. However, history has shown that this strategy is flawed, and that the clock has failed to overcome the political gridlock that drives the arms race.

The clock's movement has also been complicated by the inclusion of climate change and disruptive technologies in its calculations. While this decision was scientifically sound, it has muddled the message and made it harder for people to understand what to demand from their leaders.

The immediate outlook is that the clock's movement will continue to raise alarms and set the agenda, but its effectiveness in driving change will remain limited. The clock will continue to be a diagnostic tool, but it will not provide a cure for the problems it highlights. The next step will be for governments and international organizations to respond to the clock's warning and take concrete action to address the threats of nuclear war and climate change.