What is the link between El Niño and climate change?

The document describes El Niño as a natural Pacific Ocean cycle that is being strengthened and made more frequent by climate change. It highlights the resulting increase in coral bleaching, particularly around the Galápagos Islands, and the broader global risks including severe droughts in India and the Horn of Africa, and heavier rains in the United States. The text notes that the 2026 El Niño event is breaking temperature records, with NOAA predicting it will reach "very strong" levels. WWF is responding by using its Oceans Futures platform to mitigate fisheries conflict and restoring mangroves in countries such as Mexico, Colombia, and Ecuador to improve coastal resilience.

• Climate change is directly influencing the El Niño cycle by increasing the frequency and strength of events, which specifically accelerates the frequency of coral bleaching around the Galápagos Islands.
• The El Niño event that began in June 2026 is breaking temperature records, with August being the hottest month in recorded history. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) expects this event to be classified as "very strong," a designation triggered when Pacific Ocean temperatures increase by 2°C (3.6°F) or more.
• El Niño causes diverse global weather disruptions: the United States experiences increased hurricanes and heavy rains, while India and the Horn of Africa face severe drought.
• El Niño events disrupt global fishing fleets and increase the likelihood of conflict over fish stocks by three times, which can escalate geopolitical tensions and threaten food security.
• WWF is implementing resilience strategies to counter El Niño impacts, including the use of the Oceans Futures platform to identify fisheries risks and the restoration of mangrove forests in Mexico, Colombia, and Ecuador.

APA

WWF International (n.d.). What is the link between El Niño and climate change? https://www.worldwildlife.org/resources/explainers/what-is-the-link-between-el-ni%C3%B1o-and-climate-change/

Chicago

WWF International. What is the link between El Niño and climate change? n.d. https://www.worldwildlife.org/resources/explainers/what-is-the-link-between-el-ni%C3%B1o-and-climate-change/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=WWF International |title=What is the link between El Niño and climate change? |url=https://www.worldwildlife.org/resources/explainers/what-is-the-link-between-el-ni%C3%B1o-and-climate-change/ |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{wwfinternationalndwhat, author = {{WWF International}}, title = {{What is the link between El Niño and climate change?}}, institution = {WWF International}, url = {https://www.worldwildlife.org/resources/explainers/what-is-the-link-between-el-ni%C3%B1o-and-climate-change/}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }