UN cautions of extreme heat risk from El Nino

Agencies Geneva

The World Meteorological Organization on Tuesday forecast a moderate or possibly a strong El Nino, which could drive up global temperatures and increase the risk of extreme weather over the coming months. El Nino is a periodic warming of sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean, typically lasting between nine and 12 months.

The agency predicted above-average temperatures in most parts of the world from June to August and expects the event to continue until November. World Meteorological Organization Secretary-General Celeste Saulo warned of the need to prepare for potentially strong events that exacerbate drought and heavy rainfall, increasing the risk of heatwaves.

The weather pattern often disrupts regional climates, causing droughts in Australia, Indonesia and parts of Asia, while increasing rainfall in parts of the Americas. Saulo noted that extreme heat poses risks such as the spread of vector-borne diseases and reduced food and water supplies. Furthermore, Barry Callebaut CEO Hein Schumacher warned that reduced cocoa yields in Ecuador and West Africa could push food prices higher. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres urged the world to treat this as an urgent climate warning, emphasizing the necessity of shifting toward renewable energy.