El Niño climate patterns supercharged by burning of fossil fuels, study finds
A new study published in Science indicates that human-caused global heating is intensifying El Niño climate patterns, leading to more extreme weather events. Researchers warn that this feedback loop could exacerbate global hunger and push temperatures to record highs.
Why it matters
Understanding the link between fossil fuel consumption and the severity of natural climate cycles is essential for climate modeling and disaster preparedness.
Heavy rain in San Francisco, California, on 12 April 2026. Heavy rain in San Francisco, California, on 12 April 2026. El Niño southern oscillation El Niño climate patterns supercharged by burning of fossil fuels, study finds ‘Godzilla’ event currently brewing could push 50 million people into acute hunger before the end of next year
The Guardian's environment section frequently highlights the causal link between human activity and climate change, which is a standard scientific consensus but framed with an urgent tone.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in