<
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/aug/05/el-nino-could-push-50m-people-acute-hunger-next-year>
"About 50 million people are likely to be pushed into acute hunger before the
end of next year by the rapidly developing El Niño weather system, according to
forecasting.
This is in addition to the hundreds of millions of people already facing
dangerous levels of hunger, owing to years of drought in parts of Africa and
pressure on food prices from the war in Iran.
Even if the forecast El Niño is less strong than some models predict, it will
tip many countries over the edge, adding more than a fifth to the 225 million
people in 45 countries currently in acute food insecurity, the UN’s World Food
Programme (WFP) warned on Wednesday.
Central and South America, the Caribbean and southern Africa are likely to be
worst affected, according to the analysis. In south and south-east Asia there
is likely to be less rainfall than usual, which would cause serious problems
for agriculture and farmers.
This year’s El Niño – a weather system that develops every few years in the
Pacific Ocean and brings changes to rainfall patterns around the world – is
shaping up to be the strongest in at least 70 years. Some are calling it a
“super El Niño”, though this term is not officially recognised.
What is certain is that its impacts and strength are being strongly affected by
the climate crisis. Earlier this year, experts said a strong El Niño could work
in tandem with global heating to deliver the hottest year on record either this
year or, more likely, in 2027."
Via Susan ****
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
