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Graphic: Sharlene Rood\/News24. Images: Umbreen Ibrahim Photography\/Canva; Piyaset\/Getty Images.<\/p>\n
El Ni\u00f1o\u2019s super threat <\/p>\n
It\u2019s been a sweltering summer in the northern hemisphere.<\/p>\n
Europe has endured two deadly, record-shattering heat waves in a matter of weeks, with a third on its way.<\/p>\n
Historically, the southern hemisphere hasn\u2019t followed patterns from Europe, but climate change has changed that, bringing with it increased risk of extreme heat. Add to this an approaching El Ni\u00f1o, which the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration\u2019s (NOAA) Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory has predicted could be the strongest of this century \u2013 one that could push global average temperatures to near-record levels in both 2026 and 2027.<\/p>\n
An El Ni\u00f1o arises from a warming of surface sea temperatures in the equatorial Pacific. While it is a natural phenomenon, climate change means that El Ni\u00f1os are becoming stronger and more frequent.<\/p>\n
The 2023-24 El Ni\u00f1o resulted in heavy rains and flooding in eastern Africa and severe drought across southern Africa. These extreme weather conditions damaged crops, reduced their yields, and degraded the soil. They resulted in significant increases in food prices across most of sub-Saharan Africa.<\/p>\n
In this week\u2019s Friday Briefing, News24\u2019s climate journalist Ethan van Diemen examines which sectors could be impacted by a super El Ni\u00f1o. Read that analysis here.<\/a><\/p>\n Wandile Sihlobo, a presidential envoy on agriculture and land and chief economist at the Agricultural Business Chamber of South Africa, believes we don\u2019t need to panic. He argues that years of La Ni\u00f1a rains have given South Africa a stronger buffer in the face of potential drought. You can read Sihlobo\u2019s full argument here<\/a>.<\/a><\/p>\n On the issue of El Ni\u00f1o events, we have an analysis from The Conversation reflecting on rising ocean temperatures and why this is cause for concern. Read the full analysis here<\/a>.<\/a><\/p>\n