Expert issues 'El Nino' warning: Next 10 years critical

Professor Ceyhun Özçelik has issued a stark warning about the current El Nino, identifying it as the most severe in the last 150 years. He predicts a rise in extreme weather events, including floods, droughts, heatwaves, and wildfires, due to increasing atmospheric temperatures. Özçelik highlighted that the 1.5 degrees Celsius global warming limit set by the Paris Climate Agreement has already been exceeded, with projections indicating much higher figures within the next decade.

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The data provided by many international organizations, such as the World Meteorological Organization and the American National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, show that this year's El Nino is the most severe in the last 150 years on record.

The professor explained that El Nino, characterized by warmer-than-average sea surface temperatures around the equator in the eastern Pacific, contributes to rising atmospheric heat. This, in turn, is expected to increase the frequency and intensity of meteorological and hydrological events. He specifically pointed to a significant temperature increase of 7-8 degrees Celsius in the western Mediterranean Sea during July and August. This warming poses a risk of severe rainfall along coastlines and intensified drought conditions in inland areas.

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According to the Paris Climate Agreement, air temperatures were supposed to be limited to 1.5 degrees. Looking at the average of the last 3 years, we predict that this limit has already been exceeded.

Özçelik stressed the need for preparedness at both global and local levels. He called for scientists and local administrators to develop strategies to mitigate the impacts of climate change. The professor also noted the observable effects on marine biodiversity and tourism in the Mediterranean. He urged for proactive measures to adapt urban infrastructure to withstand extreme events like floods and heatwaves, and to prepare rural areas for drought and its economic consequences. Özçelik emphasized that anticipating these effects is crucial for future resilience.

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This will also bring extreme events. The effects of floods, droughts, heatwaves, and forest fires caused by climate change are highly likely to be affected.