The United Nations has issued a warning regarding the persistence of El Nino throughout 2023, urging nations to prepare for its impact.
El Nino is a natural climate pattern that typically results in higher global temperatures, drought in certain regions, and heavy rainfall in others. This phenomenon occurs approximately every two to seven years and usually lasts for nine to 12 months. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO), a branch of the UN, has confirmed that El Nino is already underway and has stated a 90 percent likelihood of its continuation in the second half of 2023.
Petteri Taalas, the Secretary-General of the WMO, emphasized that the onset of El Nino significantly increases the chances of temperature records being broken and extreme heat occurring across various parts of the world, both on land and in the oceans. Taalas called on governments worldwide to take immediate action in order to mitigate the impacts on health, ecosystems, and economies.
He stressed the importance of early warnings and proactive measures to address extreme weather events associated with this significant climate phenomenon, as they are crucial for safeguarding lives and livelihoods.
?On June 8, the United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which contributes to the WMO’s assessments, announced the arrival of El Nino, expecting it to reach at least moderate strength.
The WMO further noted that the warming effect of El Nino on global temperatures is typically most pronounced within a year of its onset, which, in this case, would be in 2024.In conclusion, the United Nations, through the WMO, has alerted nations to the ongoing and expected persistence of El Nino in 2023. This climate pattern is anticipated to bring about elevated global temperatures, potentially resulting in extreme heat and various weather extremes.