Climate change is real. As we near the peak of an El Niño cycle, Botswana businesses must be ready for what’s to come. This article answers the top questions surrounding El Niño and why it should matter to your business.
What is El Niño?
El Niño is not caused by climate change and cannot be prevented. It is a natural climate pattern that occurs in the Pacific Ocean every three to seven years. During this phenomenon, trade winds weaken, pushing warm water back east and increasing the ocean’s surface temperature. As a result, the global atmospheric circulation patterns are impacted, leading to extreme weather patterns in numerous areas worldwide.
How long does El Niño last?
El Niño typically lasts between nine to 12 months. However, since 1970, the cycles have become more frequent, potentially lasting up to four to seven years. The cycle normally starts developing in June, peaking between December and April.
What kind of extreme weather can be expected?
El Niño generally leads to a drastic increase in rainfall and floods in certain regions, whereas droughts and wildfires are the norm in other parts. During the El Niño event of 2015, Africa experienced a heightened short rain season between October and December 2015. This led to countries like Lesotho, Eswatini, and Zimbabwe declaring national states of emergency. Due to climate change, the earth is already hot, which means we can expect that this El Niño could potentially hit harder. Businesses must be prepared for the extreme weather this phenomenon, coupled with climate change, can bring forth. Floods, drought, and wildfires can negatively impact your operations, financial standing, and reputation.
We can see proof of this in the increase in global temperatures, hotter oceans, melting ice sheets, and the distinct increase in extreme weather events. By insuring a business against these challenges, companies can better adapt to changing conditions and minimise the negative effects of this climate phenomenon.
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