Antonio Guterres warns that a strengthening El Niño is pushing the global climate crisis into uncharted territory.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned on Friday that a strengthening El Niño weather system is significantly intensifying global weather patterns, described as "adding fuel to a planet already on fire." The phenomenon, which involves a natural warming of the Pacific Ocean near the equator, has reached its warmest and most intense level ever recorded for its early stages. Scientists at Columbia University and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) report that this El Niño will likely trigger extreme heat, drought, and rainfall well into next year, potentially breaking all-time records for intensity when it peaks in late fall. Antonio Guterres emphasized that while El Niño is a natural cycle, its effects are being amplified by the accelerating climate crisis driven by fossil fuels. He urged governments to take immediate action to halt the expansion of new coal, oil, and gas projects. The WMO warned that while some regions like southern Europe and the United States will experience above-average rainfall, other areas such as India, Indonesia, and parts of Australia will face increased risks of drought and wildfires. Celeste Saulo, the WMO Secretary-General, noted that early warnings must be translated into concrete actions to protect vulnerable communities.