El Niño Is Back. And Worse Than Ever.
Summary
Host Michael Barbaro speaks with climate reporter Chico Harlan about a historic Super El Niño brewing in the Pacific, which could be the strongest since 1950. They explain the phenomenon’s mechanics, its history of causing global famine, and its current impacts on food security and weather patterns. The discussion highlights how this event, amplified by climate change, may make 2027 the hottest year on record, offering a preview of future warming.
Topics discussed
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Introduction: Historic Super El Nino brewing
Defining El Nino and temperature thresholds
Ocean mechanics and global climate reorganization
Historical impacts: From Spanish colonists to 1877 famine
Current El Nino severity and record-breaking potential
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Early global impacts: Droughts in Panama, Africa, India
Food security concerns and agricultural resilience
Duration and record-breaking heat in 2027
El Nino vs. Climate Change: Amplification and frequency
Extreme weather preview and future norms
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