Ten Minutes On… The Return of El Niño—and Why It Matters Now

TEN MINUTES ON…

This episode of Ten Minutes On… examines the growing likelihood of an El Niño event in 2026–27 and why it matters far beyond weather forecasts. It explains what El Niño is, how it intensifies extreme climate patterns and why its effects are likely to be more disruptive in today’s warmer world. The episode then connects these environmental shifts to real-world consequences—rising food prices, disrupted agricultural production and increased economic strain—especially as they intersect with ongoing geopolitical tensions, including the US–Israel war with Iran and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Drawing on recent forecasts and research, it shows how El Niño acts as a “force multiplier,” amplifying existing vulnerabilities in global supply chains, public health and economic stability. Listeners will come away with a clearer understanding of how climate variability, conflict and economic risk are becoming increasingly interconnected—and why the months ahead may prove more volatile than current projections suggest.

TO LISTEN TO THE EPISODE, CLICK HERE.