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
Prefer the Guardian on Google A series of strong El Niño climatic patterns in recent decades, such as the “Godzilla” event currently brewing that is set to warp weather around the world, have been supercharged by the broader overheating of the planet caused by the burning of fossil fuels, a major new study has found.
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