El Niño is imminent. How worried should Australians be?
6/9/202619 min
Australia is set to experience its first El Niño weather event since spring 2023, according to the Bureau of Meteorology and other agencies. The phenomenon historically signals the arrival of hotter, drier conditions for the east coast and can have devastating impacts on the environment as well as the farming of crops and livestock. Nour Haydar speaks to climate and environment correspondent Graham Readfearn about how our weather is about to change and what it means for Australians
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First 90 secondsNoor Haidar· Host0:00
[gentle music] This is The Guardian. I'm Noor Haidar coming to you from Gadigal Land, and this is The Full Story.
Speaker 2· Soundbite0:12
Australia is on El Niño watch. An urgent warning about the potential for a strong El Niño event over the Pacific Ocean expected to happen later in the year.
Noor Haidar· Host0:27
Forecasters now warning a super El Niño could develop over winter. [upbeat music] Australia is expected to experience its first El Niño weather event since 2023, with scientists at the UN's weather agency saying there's a 90% chance of one developing in the Pacific before November. In Australia, it's historically delivered warmer than average temperatures and has been linked with an increased risk of drought, heat waves, bush fires, and coral bleaching.
António Guterres· Soundbite1:02
El Niño conditions will pour fuel on the fire of a warming world. The only effective response is climate action equal to the crisis, ending the addiction to fossil fuels.
Noor Haidar· Host1:14
Today, environment and climate correspondent Graeme Redfern on the conditions brewing in the Pacific. It's Wednesday, the 10th of June.