António Guterres Warns of Record-Breaking El Niño Intensity and Global Climate Crisis
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres warned that a rapidly intensifying El Niño event is set to dominate global weather patterns, potentially pushing the world into "uncharted territory." The phenomenon is expected to drive extreme heatwaves, droughts, and flooding across the globe as it strengthens through the fall of 2026. According to the World Meteorological Organization, central Pacific sea-surface temperatures are projected to soar significantly above normal, creating a "supercharged" weather system. While El Niño is a natural cycle, Guterres noted that it is being amplified by human-induced climate change driven by fossil fuel expansion. He urged governments to halt new coal, oil, and gas projects to mitigate the crisis. WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo emphasized that early warnings must translate into concrete actions to safeguard vulnerable communities. The administration of the weather agency projects above-normal temperatures across nearly all land areas, particularly in Africa, southern Europe, and the Indian subcontinent, where the risk of drought and wildfires remains high.