The recent drought in the Amazon has reached historic levels, with water levels at their lowest in 120 years. This unprecedented event, occurring during the El Niño phenomenon, highlights the compounded effects of climate change on extreme weather patterns.
El Niño, which occurred from late spring 2023 to June 2024, typically brings warmer ocean waters to the Pacific, leading to severe droughts in regions like the Amazon. Researchers from World Weather Attribution have concluded that human-induced greenhouse gas emissions have made this drought 30 times more likely.
While El Niño's influence is significant, the report indicates that climate change has exacerbated most disasters, although some events, such as droughts in southern Africa and Panama, were predominantly driven by El Niño. Since 1900, four of the five driest years in Panama coincided with El Niño phases.
Looking ahead, 2025 is expected to see a brief and weak La Niña phase, which typically has a cooling effect on the climate. However, its anticipated short duration suggests limited impact on weather patterns.