The El Niño climate pattern, recognized as a potent driver of extreme weather, has left a significant mark on global temperatures and weather phenomena over the past year. As this natural climatic event begins to wane, uncertainties loom over the pace and impact of the forthcoming transition to La Niña, a cooler counterpart.
Historically, El Niño is associated with warmer ocean temperatures in the Pacific, which in turn drive global temperature spikes and extreme weather events. The recent El Niño episode has been no exception, contributing to the hottest year on record. “La Niña should stop that streak of record-breaking temperatures,” notes Pedro Dinezio of the University of Colorado Boulder. “If it doesn’t, are our models wrong? Are we underestimating global warming?”
The severe heat waves induced by El Niño have proven fatal for both humans and wildlife. In Mexico, for instance, at least 138 howler monkeys succumbed to extreme heat, falling from trees “like apples,” as described by wildlife biologist Gilberto Pozo. These primates, unable to cope with temperatures exceeding their tolerance thresholds, died from severe dehydration within minutes.
El Niño’s impact extends beyond terrestrial life, significantly affecting marine ecosystems. Ocean warming has led to the bleaching of about 63% of the world’s coral reefs. Coral reefs, pivotal to marine biodiversity, face massive reductions in species diversity when they deteriorate. “In the places where we have coral reef systems, they are the foundation of the ecosystem there … they are the lifeblood of that ecosystem,” says Nikhil Advani, senior director for wildlife and climate resilience at the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).
The ramifications of El Niño are far-reaching and exacerbate existing vulnerabilities. Southern Africa, for example, is considered the “epicenter of the crisis” by the U.N. World Food Program (WFP), facing a devastating cycle of floods and droughts.The food insecurity and malnutrition were at alarming levels in Malawi, Zimbabwe and Zambia. This loss translates into millions of people struggling to access food and sustenance.
The WFP has highlighted the immediate need for humanitarian aid, calling for $409 million over the next six months to assist 4.8 million people in the hardest-hit regions. Cindy McCain, the WFP’s executive director, stresses the urgency:“We cannot ask millions of people to wait for the next harvest season – a year from now – to put food on their tables.”
While El Niño’s current phase is on the decline, its long-term impacts, compounded by ongoing climate change, continue to create challenges. Floods, droughts, and extreme heat, although expected to lessen post-El Niño, remain intensified due to global warming. “Climate change is something that’s here to stay,” Advani emphasizes. “We tend to look at El Niño years as a proxy for how bad things could get potentially within even a decade or two.”
Efforts are underway to mitigate these impacts. Conservationists, for instance, are experimenting with adaptive strategies to protect wildlife. The WWF has initiated the Wildlife Adaptation Innovation Fund, supporting projects that range from improving nest designs for birds to controlling sand temperatures for sea turtles. These initiatives aim to help vulnerable animal populations survive in increasingly hostile climates.
Relevant articles:
– El Niño is ending after a year of driving extreme weather, New Scientist,05/23/2024
– Extreme weather is having a dire effects on animals. Here’s what’s being done to protect them., Yahoo News Australia,05/22/2024
– Extreme weather is having a dire effects on animals. Here’s what’s, EMEA Tribune, Breaking News, World News, Latest News, Top Headlines,05/23/2024
– From Zambia to Afghanistan, WFP warns that extreme El Niño weather is causing an increase in hunger, The Bharat Express News,05/22/2024
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