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How El Niño could change the world | The Global Story

2026-06-05 News & Politics
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Description

A new phase of the natural El Niño weather pattern is "on our doorstep", according to UN scientists, boosting temperatures on a planet already under strain from climate change. The World Meteorological Organization said El Niño is “very likely” to officially begin within the next few months, driving more extreme weather around much of the globe. Several forecasts from national weather agencies suggest this El Niño could end up as one of the strongest ever recorded, nicknamed by some as a possible “super” or even “Godzilla” event. Yet El Niño is not just a climate story - throughout history, this recurring weather pattern has helped shape global events, triggering everything from famines and revolutions to impacting the Cold War. In this episode, we speak to historian Peter Frankopan, Professor of Global History at Oxford, to discuss what historical El Niños tell us about what could be coming our way, and how we can collectively prepare. Subscribe to our channel here: https://bbc.in/bbcnews For the latest news download the BBC News app or visit BBC.com/news #Elniño #climatechange #BBCNews Chapters: 00:00 Introduction 01:11 What is El Niño? 05:03 Where will El Niño hit hardest? 09:52 Moments in history caused by El Niño 14:20 What needs to be done? 21:44 How did people respond to El Niño in the past?

Top Comments (10)

@StrykezMan09 2026-06-05

We just can't catch a f*cking break! The 2020s will definitely go down as one of the worst decades ever.

139 41 replies
@MartinFraisse-d5n 2026-06-05

Earth was once beautiful and habitant friendly place. But the greed and inflation turning earth into wasteland. Mf96

39 4 replies
@sbeast64 2026-06-06

EVERYONE GANGSTA UNTIL EL NINO ARRIVES

33 3 replies
@kimber13DIN 2026-06-05

This man is brilliant ❤

31 1 replies
@HappyHippo-g5z 2026-06-05

A few months ago, our parish set up a lunch table. We thought that mainly a few older people would come so they wouldn't be eating alone. We now serve so much lunch that people have to eat one after the other because we don't have enough space. As prices rise, so will the need for social soup kitchens. If you are active in a church community, you should perhaps talk to your pastor or church council about it.

27 6 replies
@dyztanz6188 2026-06-06

For all you Fahrenheit lovers out there, Celcius is much easier to comprehend: Below zero = frozen. 0 Celcius = freezing point. 25 Celcius is BBQ weather. 50 Celcius is too hot to do anything. 100 Celcius is boiling point of water.

20 4 replies
@markuseden2105 2026-06-06

I think the evidence is pretty clear by now - El Nino itself is a feedback loop that cannot be controlled any longer. Global heating will increase the severity and frequency of El Nino's which will in turn accelerate global heating by causing conditions that push us over the remaining tipping points even faster. It boggles the mind now that scientists did not foresee how fast climate change would accelerate by not seeming to factor in Co2 release by burning forests to name just one example. Or this El Nino loop to name another one. We are truly at the beginning of the end.

13 5 replies
@amazingdavon 2026-06-05

Excellent episode. Authenticity, Transparency and Truth - so refreshing. Thanks to Team BBC News and Peter Frankopan. Best to you and yours, from Wild & Wonderful WV 💙💛

10
@wingman2646 2026-06-05

Fascinating interview. Thank you Peter. Thank you BBC.

8
@MisterBump73 2026-06-06

This guy is amazing. How he remember all these details is astonishing.

2

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