UN Warns of Strong El Niño: 'Adding Fuel to a Planet Already on Fire'

The United Nations' World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has issued a stark warning about the intensifying El Niño weather phenomenon. The WMO anticipates that El Niño will significantly influence global climate patterns between August and October 2026, raising the probability of temperatures exceeding normal levels across vast regions.

This development is expected to bring about considerable shifts in precipitation patterns worldwide. UN Secretary-General António Guterres described the situation with grave concern, stating, "El Niño is getting stronger – and is pouring fuel on the fire of a planet that is already burning with record heat, apocalyptic wildfires and boiling oceans." He directly linked the escalating crisis to the continued burning of fossil fuels.

The WMO's advisory highlights the interconnectedness of climate phenomena and human activity. While El Niño is a natural occurrence, Guterres's statement underscores the role of anthropogenic emissions in amplifying the impacts of such events. The warning serves as a critical reminder of the planet's vulnerability to climate extremes.

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El Niño is getting stronger – and is pouring fuel on the fire of a planet that is already burning with record heat, apocalyptic wildfires and boiling oceans. Fossil fuels are fanning the flames in this crisis.