<
https://theconversation.com/a-super-el-nino-is-coming-5-hard-won-lessons-the-world-can-learn-from-africa-286294>
"Climate prediction scientists announced in June 2026 that El Niño, a cycle
that happens every two to seven years, had formed. It was expected to develop
into one of the strongest on record – a “super” El Niño.
El Niño happens when the surface of the Pacific ocean becomes unusually warm.
It can alter weather patterns worldwide, often leading to extreme events such
as droughts, floods and heatwaves.
In southern Africa, it causes hot, dry weather. In a previous cycle this pushed
18 million people into hunger.
In east and central Africa, it has brought heavy rain and flooding that
previously destroyed over 600,000 homes, along with farmland and health
services. In west Africa, it has reduced harvests, raised food prices and left
families struggling with food shortages for years after the event.
A “super” El Niño is caused by Pacific Ocean temperatures rising far more than
normal. Parts of the Pacific are expected to be about 3°C warmer than average
by the end of 2026.
There have only been three other super El Niño events in modern records (since
1982). The most recent, in 2015-16, pushed more than 36 million people across
east and southern Africa into hunger. The effects were felt through food and
nutrition security, water scarcity, health access and livelihoods.
The prospect of this happening again has triggered concern, understandably.
My research has shown how Africa, with high levels of poverty, underdevelopment
and weak infrastructure, is very exposed to climate risks which damage food
systems and health.
Focusing only on risk, however, tells only one side of the story.
African countries have spent decades coping and adapting to repeated cycles of
droughts, floods, rainfall variability and food insecurity. The continent has
built valuable experience in managing multiple harsh conditions.
The world needs to pay more attention to the knowledge, practices and
adaptation strategies that African communities, institutions and researchers
have developed through experience. As climate impacts intensify globally, these
experiences offer valuable lessons for building resilience."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
