El Nino: A phenomenon supercharged by climate change
Summary
El Nino is a natural weather pattern that causes warm ocean water to replace cold, nutrient-rich water along the Pacific coast of South America. This year, El Nino is expected to be stronger than ever due to climate change, causing extreme weather like droughts and floods that will affect millions of people worldwide.Key Facts
- Anchovies have disappeared from South America’s coast because warm water replaced their usual cold habitat.
- El Nino happens when trade winds weaken, allowing warm water to flow east toward South America, usually around Christmas.
- Climate change is making this year’s El Nino more intense and potentially the strongest on record.
- Scientists use satellites and ocean buoys to monitor ocean temperatures, currents, and winds to forecast El Nino.
- Temperatures in the equatorial Pacific Ocean could rise by 3°C during this event, higher than usual increases of 1-2°C.
- Strong El Nino events can cause droughts in some areas and floods in others, affecting food production and ecosystems.
- Southeast Asia and South America are expected to suffer the most from this extreme weather caused by El Nino.
- United Nations Secretary-General called this worsening El Nino like “pouring fuel on the fire” of global warming.
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