The United Nations has warned that the current El Niño event is intensifying and could lead to severe weather disruptions worldwide, impacting economies and communities.
Celeste Saulo, secretary general of the U.N.'s World Meteorological Organization, highlighted the potential for increased floods, droughts, and extreme heat, which could severely affect agricultural outputs in regions like Asia-Pacific and Latin America.
Countries such as Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador are already experiencing erratic weather and crop losses, while Indonesia faces devastating wildfires. The weaker monsoon season in India is anticipated to negatively impact key crops like rice and sugar. Additionally, Peru's anchovy fishing industry is suffering due to these extreme conditions.
The energy sector may also see unpredictable effects, with potential disruptions to hydropower, wind, solar output, and oil and gas production.
UN Secretary General António Guterres emphasized the urgency of addressing climate risks, stating that the world is in a 'danger zone of extreme weather.' The current El Niño is characterized by sea temperatures significantly above average, indicating a potentially prolonged and severe impact on global markets and commodities, including corn, cocoa, and coffee