The Facts
On Tuesday, Australia’s leading meteorological organization declared that the El Niño weather pattern has developed over the Pacific Ocean and will bring dry conditions conducive to heatwaves and wildfires to the already hot eastern region of the country.
The Bureau of Meteorology’s announcement follows a similar announcement made in June by the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and in July by the World Meteorological Organization.
The Spin
Narrative A
The announcement of an El Niño weather pattern is never welcomed. While the weather pattern varies in severity with each arrival, they more often than not spell disaster and ramp up global instability. The incoming El Niño is expected to be particularly bad and will likely result in the reduction of crop yields, putting both humans and livestock at risk of starvation.
Narrative B
As the El Niño weather pattern shifts into place, there will be winners and losers. Some areas of the globe can withstand — and even thrive —in the warm and dry conditions, while others cannot. However, before we panic and rush to prepare, let's be reminded that not all scientists agree that an El Niño will occur or that the severity will be astronomical. Current forecasts could be wildly inaccurate.
