El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is a coupled ocean–atmosphere phenomenon centered in the tropical Pacific, characterized by quasi-periodic fluctuations between warm (El Niño), cold (La Niña), and neutral phases. It arises from interactions between equatorial Pacific sea surface temperature anomalies, changes in thermocline depth, and variations in trade winds and the Walker circulation. ENSO modulates global atmospheric circulation, influencing precipitation patterns, temperature anomalies, and extreme weather frequency worldwide. It is a primary source of interannual climate variability and is represented and predicted in climate models using indices such as Niño 3.4 and the Southern Oscillation Index, with substantial implications for seasonal forecasting and climate impact assessments.
From "heat wave simulators" to ecological boot camps, scientists and conservationists are trying ways to revive and reinforce the famous coral reefs off Japan's Okinawa, decimated by climate-driven bleaching two summers ago.
Ecology
9 hours ago
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6
California is once again confronting a rapidly escalating wildfire season fueled by extreme heat, drying vegetation, drought and strong winds.
Environment
Jul 27, 2026
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8
On a boat off the coast of California, Sara Lesser gazes wistfully at dozens of dolphins playing in the vessel's wake. This summer, extreme heat is making such a scene increasingly rare.
Ecology
Jul 27, 2026
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14
Coal-fired power generation is set to increase in 2026, driven by supply difficulties and soaring natural gas prices linked to the war in the Middle East, the International Energy Agency said Thursday.
Environment
Jul 23, 2026
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Subseasonal forecasting, or the ability to predict weather trends two weeks to two months in advance, is a capability highly sought after in various economic sectors, including energy, water management and agriculture. Reliable ...
Environment
Jul 23, 2026
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Anyone who has boiled a pot of water understands that it takes both time and energy to raise the temperature, so it may come as a surprise to learn that scientists have long treated marine heat waves (MHWs) as isolated events. ...
Earth Sciences
Jul 22, 2026
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12
Cardiff University leads a multidisciplinary research collaboration representing academia and multiple nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) to explore Somalia's 2023 El Niño floods and lessons learned from a similar event ...
Earth Sciences
Jul 21, 2026
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8
The collapse of a landmark Amazon soy pact will drive at least 1.4 million hectares (3.5 million acres) of extra deforestation in Brazil over the next decade, releasing carbon emissions equal to Canada's annual output, according ...
Environment
Jul 17, 2026
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48
A cave in the interior of Paraná state in Brazil contains a "climate archive" that enabled Brazilian researchers to reconstruct the history of extreme rainfall in Brazil's South Region over the past 7,500 years. Their findings ...
Environment
Jul 15, 2026
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10
A record-smashing heat wave was spreading Tuesday from the West toward the East Coast, placing nearly 100 million Americans under heat alerts.
Environment
Jul 14, 2026
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12
