UN warns record El Niño could push 50 million into hunger

The UN has warned that a record El Niño is approaching, likely the largest in at least 1,000 years, and will add extra heat to a world already facing a climate crisis. The event is near certain to shatter temperature records. The El Niño is forecast to peak at about 4C in November, with ocean temperatures already at 2.6C above average. This could push 50 million people into acute hunger and worsen impacts globally, from wildfires in Indonesia to floods in South America. The climate crisis is already supercharging extreme weather, with Europe's most intense heatwave this summer killing at least 35,000 people. UN officials say the planet is in uncharted waters, and the race is on between rising risks and climate action.