El Niño intensifies climate disasters as 2026 forecast to be among hottest years on record
Source Summary
El Niño is expected to worsen extreme weather events in 2026, which is forecast to be one of the hottest years on record. COP31 is currently underway in Turkey, with discussions on the costs of delayed climate action. Student activists from Pacific Island nations, who recently won a case at the UN's highest court on climate issues, are participating in the talks.
Why it matters
El Niño's amplification of extreme weather and record temperatures directly increase the human and economic costs of climate impacts, making the timing and adequacy of global climate commitments at COP31 consequential for vulnerable nations.
