El niño intensifies, threatening food security and energy markets
The United Nations aid chief warns that roughly 50 million people could face heightened hunger as the current El niño reaches unprecedented strength, according to the World Meteorological Organization head. Flooding linked to the phenomenon has killed two people and displaced over 2,000 in Argentina, while European natural‑gas futures hover near 90 euros per megawatt‑hour amid broader energy disruptions. In the United States, the National Weather Service projects a warmer‑than‑average winter with above‑average precipitation across several regions.
Key facts
- The El niño is expected to peak in January and ease by May 2027.
- Warmer‑than‑normal conditions are forecast for northern US, Europe and parts of Asia this winter.
- Cold blasts and snow or ice storms remain possible despite the mild outlook.
- The Philippines expects near‑nationwide drought by February 2027 as El niño intensifies.
- Global carbon‑dioxide emissions are projected to surge this year during the El niño.
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Why it matters
Food insecurity and energy price spikes could rise sharply worldwide.
What changed
First published from OilPrice.com, Phys.org, Rappler, Yale Environment 360 and NPR