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Kenya Faces Acute Famine with Over 3 Million Malnourished Amidst Drought and Conflict

Kenya Faces Acute Famine with Over 3 Million Malnourished Amidst Drought and Conflict

A recent report on food security in East Africa indicates that over 3 million Kenyans are experiencing acute food insecurity, with nearly 426,000 in an emergency situation. The assessment by the Food Security and Nutrition Working Group for East and Central Africa details that 3,086,659 people in Kenya are facing a food crisis or worse. Approximately 2.7 million individuals are in the food crisis phase, while over 400,000 are in a full-scale emergency. Additionally, nearly 7 million Kenyans are classified as being in a state of food stress, meaning they can meet some essential needs but live precariously. The crisis is attributed to multiple factors, including adverse weather conditions like below-average rainfall and prolonged droughts, which have severely impacted agriculture and livestock farming in western Kenya. Conflicts, forced population displacement, and regional tensions, particularly from crises in Sudan, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, further exacerbate the situation. Th...
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United Nations Weather Agency Reports 'Exceptional' Global Temperatures to Persist Through Year-End

United Nations Weather Agency Reports 'Exceptional' Global Temperatures to Persist Through Year-End

The United Nations weather agency has released a report indicating that 'exceptional' global temperatures are projected to continue through the end of the year. According to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), 2026 is on track to be one of the four warmest years ever recorded, with global average surface temperatures from January to September approximately 1.47 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. The WMO further notes that the past 12 years have individually been the warmest on record, with the last four years topping this list. WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo explained that the El Niño phenomenon, which has been developing since August, is contributing to this warming by releasing heat from the ocean, which is currently the warmest ever measured. This warming effect is expected to intensify through December, with a very strong El Niño anticipated to lead to more extreme weather events into 2027. The report also highlights that approximately 90 percent of the excess heat trapped by gr...
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Super El Niño Expected to Reshape Global Coal Markets with Contradictory Impacts

Super El Niño Expected to Reshape Global Coal Markets with Contradictory Impacts

Super El Niño Expected to Reshape Global Coal Markets with Contradictory Impacts
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Study Links Strong El Niño Episodes to Increased Heat-Related Deaths and Decreased Cold-Related Deaths Globally

Study Links Strong El Niño Episodes to Increased Heat-Related Deaths and Decreased Cold-Related Deaths Globally

A new study by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal) has found a significant correlation between very strong El Niño episodes and temperature-related mortality worldwide. The research, which analyzed climate and mortality data from 1980–2023 across 1,667 regions in 125 countries, estimates that these intense El Niño events are associated with an additional 107,035 heat-related deaths and 112,681 fewer cold-related deaths annually compared to neutral conditions. While these figures appear to largely offset each other globally, the study emphasizes that El Niño is not beneficial for health. The health burden is disproportionately borne by lower-resource countries, particularly in tropical regions. South America, Small Island Developing States (SIDS), sub-Saharan Africa, and South and South-East Asia experienced the largest increases in annual heat-related mortality during strong El Niño years. Countries with low or medium Human Development Index (HDI) accounted for 67.65% of the estimated incr...
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El Niño to Make 2026 Among Hottest Years: UN

El Niño to Make 2026 Among Hottest Years: UN

The United Nations has reported that 2026 is on track to be one of the four hottest years on record, driven by an unusually strong El Niño event. According to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), global average surface temperatures from January to September 2026 were approximately 2.65°F (1.47°C) above pre-industrial levels. This El Niño, which has been intensifying since August, is expected to peak by December and persist into early 2027. The phenomenon is releasing heat from the ocean, which is currently at its warmest levels ever recorded. The WMO warns that this event will act as a “risk multiplier,” exacerbating extreme weather events such as heatwaves, tropical cyclones, and heavy rainfall. The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified the health impacts of this extreme heat as a health emergency for the first time. The report was released during the COP31 climate conference.
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UN Report Forecasts 2026 Among Hottest Years, Citing El Niño and Climate Change Impacts

UN Report Forecasts 2026 Among Hottest Years, Citing El Niño and Climate Change Impacts

A new U.N. climate report from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), released on the first day of COP31, indicates that 2026 is projected to be among the four hottest years on record. This elevated temperature trend is expected to persist into early 2027, largely due to an unusually powerful El Niño phenomenon. The report states that the global average surface temperature from January to September was approximately 2.65°F (1.47°C) above the 1850-1900 pre-industrial average. The past 12 years have consistently ranked among the hottest, with 2023 through 2026 occupying the top four positions. The current El Niño, intensifying since August, is anticipated to be the strongest on record by December, acting as a 'risk multiplier' for health and exacerbating human-caused climate change. The World Health Organization (WHO) has, for the first time, classified the anticipated health impacts of extreme heat and the record-breaking El Niño as a health emergency.
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Northern Wisconsin Experiences Severe Summer Drought, Impacting Agriculture and Ecosystems

Northern Wisconsin Experiences Severe Summer Drought, Impacting Agriculture and Ecosystems

Northern Wisconsin has been experiencing significant drought conditions throughout the summer, with about half of the state currently affected. According to Bridgette Mason, Assistant State Climatologist at the Center for Climate Research, approximately 30% of the state is in moderate to severe drought, and another 22% is in extreme to exceptional drought, primarily concentrated in the northern half. This follows a record-breaking wet April, which was abruptly succeeded by the fourth-driest May on record. Some counties in the exceptional drought category have received less than 12.5 inches of precipitation since May, which is less than 50% of the typical amount for this period. The drought has led to unprecedentedly low water levels in lakes, rivers, and reservoirs, causing concerns about wildlife, including reports of animals scavenging for food and water, large fish kills, and blue-green algae blooms. Additionally, drought-stressed trees are becoming more susceptible to pests and diseases, with potential...
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El Niño Expected to Bring Varied Weather Impacts Across U.S., Raising Health Concerns

El Niño Expected to Bring Varied Weather Impacts Across U.S., Raising Health Concerns

The U.S. is bracing for varied weather patterns due to an anticipated powerful El Niño in late 2026 and early 2027, which is expected to shift global weather patterns. In the U.S., El Niño typically leads to wetter-than-normal conditions in the South, increased drought risk in the Northern Plains, and potentially severe storms along the Pacific Coast. These weather changes carry significant health risks beyond immediate hazards. Researchers in psychology, global health, and Earth system science emphasize the need for communities to integrate health considerations into early weather warnings and preparedness plans. Health consequences can include infections from floodwaters, poor air quality and malnutrition from drought, and mental health issues such as anxiety and post-traumatic stress from extreme weather events. Vulnerable populations, including those with existing illnesses or reliant on in-home medical equipment, face heightened risks.
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New Research Suggests Some El Niño Events Predictable Up to a Year in Advance, Especially During La Niña Conditions

New Research Suggests Some El Niño Events Predictable Up to a Year in Advance, Especially During La Niña Conditions

A new study indicates that certain El Niño events may be accurately predicted up to 12 months in advance, significantly extending the current reliable forecast window. This research, which analyzed 7,500 forecasts from nine different climate models, found that predictions initiated during La Niña conditions were consistently more reliable for forecasting events a year later. Conversely, forecasts made during neutral conditions were often inaccurate. This discovery challenges the long-held understanding of forecast limitations, particularly the 'Bermuda triangle' period between March and May, when predictions are typically unreliable due to atmospheric and oceanic conditions. The study suggests that La Niña conditions have a stabilizing influence on the climate system, making it less susceptible to the 'butterfly effect' and allowing for more accurate long-range predictions. This could provide valuable lead time for communities and governments to prepare for the extreme weather events often associated with ...
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One Killed in Indonesia Helicopter Crash During Wildfire Fighting Operation

One Killed in Indonesia Helicopter Crash During Wildfire Fighting Operation

One person died and two foreign nationals were rescued after a helicopter crashed into a river in Indonesia during a mission to combat wildfires in South Kalimantan. The deceased crew member was identified by Indonesian authorities as Yayan Supyansuri. The two rescued individuals, Michael John Betterridge (an Australian national) and Hugh Andrew John Page (a New Zealander), were found safe and transported to a hospital for treatment. The helicopter, a Super Puma H-225, was owned by a company contracted by disaster authorities for firefighting operations. Investigations into the accident are ongoing, with the military having retrieved the helicopter's black box. This incident follows another helicopter crash in central Kalimantan that killed three crew members during a similar operation.
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NASA Satellites Detect Significant Water Level Rise in Navajo Reservoir Following Extreme Rainfall

NASA Satellites Detect Significant Water Level Rise in Navajo Reservoir Following Extreme Rainfall

NASA satellites have observed a dramatic increase in water levels at Navajo Reservoir in the U.S. Southwest, following back-to-back extreme rain events in late October and early November 2026. Images acquired by the Operational Land Imager (OLI) on Landsat 9 on September 20 and November 7 show the reservoir's water level rising by nearly 60 feet (18 meters). According to data from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the reservoir reached its highest level since August 2019 and stood at 108 percent of its average capacity for November 7, a stark contrast to its 60 percent capacity on September 20. The heavy rainfall, which inundated the Four Corners region, caused rivers like the San Juan and Piedra to swell, leading to significant flooding in areas such as Pagosa Springs, Colorado. This precipitation has alleviated short-term drought conditions in the Southwest, which had been exacerbated by a snow drought in winter 2025-26 and high temperatures in 2026.
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Darfur Faces Looming Famine as Agricultural Emergency Rooms Report Widespread Crop Failure

Darfur Faces Looming Famine as Agricultural Emergency Rooms Report Widespread Crop Failure

Nineteen agricultural emergency rooms across Darfur have issued a stark warning regarding the failure of the current farming season, leading to fears of an impending famine. Drought and irregular rainfall have devastated crops, with Justice Africa Sudan (JAS) estimating harvest losses of approximately 90% in key sorghum-producing regions. These regions traditionally supply staple food to over 70% of Sudan's population. The dire agricultural situation has forced thousands of families to flee their homes, with many seeking refuge in other areas of Darfur or crossing the border into Chad to escape hunger and loss of livelihoods. Between October 15 and November 6, approximately 538 families, totaling 3,227 individuals, arrived in various locations, and new arrivals continue to increase humanitarian needs at an alarming rate. The agricultural emergency rooms initially aimed to cultivate over 1,800 feddans but reduced the target to 1,100 feddans due to limited resources, insufficient rainfall, and inadequate fun...