Development & Aid, Environment, Tierramerica

El Niño

Mar 17 2002 (IPS) - The El Niño phenomenon is a large-scale climate event that is manifest around the world. And for millions of people it is a cause for concern because it causes excessive rainfall or severe drought, taking a toll on their standard of living.

The alteration of the climate occurs as a result of a rise in surface water temperatures across a large area of the Pacific Ocean, an anomaly that affects atmospheric conditions. The variation is described as an oscillation, as after the temperature rises, it can often fall below normal, creating the climate phenomenon known as La Niña.

El Niño is cyclical, occurring every four to seven years, and its intensity varies. Some of the most severe episodes of the phenomenon have caused temporary climate shifts resulting in starvation – from drought – or at the other end of the weather spectrum, heavy rains with massive flooding.

In Peru, where the warm ocean current arrives from off Australia, is where the name El Niño is thought to have originated, as fisherfolk usually detected the changes in sea temperatures around Christmas, and dubbed it Baby Jesus. Peru is one of the countries that feels the greatest impact from the phenomenon and has institutions that continuously monitor the Pacific's temperatures.

But other countries also keep watch. The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) constantly tracks ocean temperatures, using satellites.

Planning is important, given that El Niño is a natural occurrence and cannot be prevented. There are mentions of climate shifts in the distant past that are believed to have been linked to El Niño. And there are historic accounts about the phenomenon dated as long ago as the late 16th century