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El Niño adds fuel to record heat, wildfires, UN warns

8/1/2026

Summary

Guterres Warns

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned in the United States that a strengthening El Niño is adding fuel to a planet on fire.
The World Meteorological Organization reports temperatures 3 °C above normal and predicts the El Niño will peak in coming months and persist through spring 2027.
Guterres said the summer produced record heat domes, wildfires in Spain and France, thousands of deaths, and a weaker, hotter Indian monsoon with drier forecasts worldwide.

Summary

Guterres Alerts

U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres said no heat standards exist for garment factories employing 90 million workers, urged cooling systems, and accused the fossil-fuel industry and countries of denying climate-driven threats.
Shaman said El Niño releases ocean-stored heat, keeping temperatures high after the event ends.
The World Meteorological Organization warned of drought and wildfires in Indonesia, India and parts of Asia, and above-average rain in much of the United States and Southern Europe.

Summary

WMO Warns

The World Meteorological Organization, led by Secretary General Celeste Saulo, is intensifying mobilisation and urging governments to prepare for heat, drought and floods during August-October “window of opportunity”.
Forecasts warn marine heatwaves could rise up to 2.9 °C above normal for this El Niño stage.
The WMO projects rainfall for southern Europe and central Asia, drier conditions elsewhere, and a positive Indian Ocean Dipole that will amplify drought, flood and wildfire risks.

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Guterres Warns

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned in the United States that a strengthening El Niño is adding fuel to a planet on fire.
The World Meteorological Organization reports temperatures 3 °C above normal and predicts the El Niño will peak in coming months and persist through spring 2027.
Guterres said the summer produced record heat domes, wildfires in Spain and France, thousands of deaths, and a weaker, hotter Indian monsoon with drier forecasts worldwide.

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