El Niño and La Niña: A Summary
A breakdown
El Niño and La Niña are major climate drivers of the Earth’s climate system as they alter weather patterns globally.
Whilst El Niño is generally responsible for propelling unusually warm surface waters in the eastern Pacific Ocean due to weaker trade winds, which releases more heat into the atmosphere, La Niña acts as the cooling opposite.
Broadly, global temperatures increase by about 0.2C during an El Niño episode and fall about 0.2C during La Niña.
What is happening now?
The United Nations (UN) has asserted that the current El Niño will likely fuel the hottest temperatures recorded to date, following the end of the multi-year La Niña.
What are the effects?
Extreme weather events and food security threats will unfortunately be likely consequences of the climate pattern. These events will affect some countries more than others, and will likely cause forced displacement, with ‘climate refugees’ seeking safety in lesser affected countries, which could contribute to a heightening in geopolitical tensions and nationalism.