Hansen's El Niño Warning

In this episode we examine James Hansen’s analysis of a developing El Niño against the backdrop of a rapidly warming planet. We discuss Hansen’s warning that global warming may be accelerating as Earth absorbs more energy, and that an El Niño occurring on top of this elevated heat could help drive exceptionally high global temperatures in the years ahead.

This video was recorded on August 26th, 2026, and published on August 30th, 2026, and represents the opinions of the discussion participants.

The panel explores how warmer oceans and air can intensify climate extremes, including heat waves, heavy rainfall and flooding in some regions, drought and wildfire in others, and greater stress on water supplies. A major focus is food security: the speakers connect drought, heat, changing agricultural conditions, and lower crop production to risks for farmers, food prices, economies, and communities worldwide.

The conversation also considers the wider social consequences of climate disruption, including public-health risks from extreme heat, pressure on rivers and water systems, geopolitical instability, and the difficulty of adapting as climate conditions shift. The speakers emphasize the need for stronger adaptation measures while arguing that rapid reductions in fossil-fuel emissions remain essential to limiting the worsening impacts of climate change.

Links:

• Support Our Mission

• Super Duper El Niño and the Bigger Problem

• Global Warming in the Pipeline and Earth’s Energy Imbalance (CEF Video)

• The New Fire Regime (CEF Video)

• Europe’s Record‑Shattering Heat (CEF Video)

• U.S. Wheat Production Forecast at Historic Low

• Europe’s Heatwave‑Driven Food Security Emergency (CEF Video)

• Factors Determining the Frequency of El Niño

• El Niño affects more than 60 million people

• Severe Weather Europe

• Fall 2026 Forecast Update: Super El Niño Builds a Split-Flow Pattern Ahead of Winter 2026/2027

• North America Is Heating Up (CEF Video)

Regular Panelists:

• Dr. Peter Carter - MD, Expert IPCC Reviewer and the director of the Climate Emergency Institute.

• Paul Beckwith - Climate Systems Scientist. Professor at the University of Ottawa’s Paleoclimatology Laboratory as well as at Carleton University.

• Regina Valdez - MS in Sustainability Management, Climate Reality Leader, GreenFaith Fellow and LEED Green Associate.

Video Production:

• Charles Gregoire - Electrical Engineer, Webmaster and IT prime for FacingFuture.Earth & the Climate Emergency Forum; Climate Reality Leader

• Heidi Brault - Climate Reality Leader, BA(Psychology), Library & Information Technician Diploma - Video production and website assistant - Organizer and convener, Metadata technician, COP Team Lead for FacingFuture.Earth and the Climate Emergency Forum.

Attributions:

Background Music:

• Title: Through the City II
• Author: Crowander
• Source: crowander.com

Image and Video:

• Image and Video Attributions