Scientists warn El Nino and climate change could fuel fires, floods, and droughts.

Climate scientists issued a warning on Tuesday that 2026 may become one of the warmest years on record, driven by El Niño conditions and climate change. The World Weather Attribution group, citing data from the first four months of the year, reported that wildfires had already burned over 150 million hectares—far exceeding recent averages. Rising sea surface temperatures and disrupted rainfall patterns, amplified by global warming, are expected to intensify floods, droughts, and wildfires later this year and into 2027. Daniel Swain, from the University of California Institute for Water Resources, explained that El Niño naturally alters rainfall patterns but warned its effects would be worsened by the current 1.5°C (2.7°F) global temperature increase. Jemilah Mahmood, executive director of the Sunway Centre for Planetary Health, highlighted underreported risks, including heat-related deaths and respiratory diseases from wildfire smoke. She noted that heat often kills unnoticed in homes and fields. Friederike Otto, co-founder of the World Weather Attribution group, stressed that climate change is the primary cause of worsening extreme weather. She urged immediate emissions reductions, calling climate change 'the reason to freak out.' The scientists emphasized that current conditions could lead to unprecedented global impacts, with urgent action needed to curb further damage.