dw.com
La Niña Delayed: Pacific Ocean Remains Too Warm
Despite predictions, La Niña has yet to appear due to insufficient cooling in the equatorial Pacific Ocean; this follows the El Niño event which ended in June 2024, and the current neutral phase may offer more stable weather, although climate change complicates predictions.
- How does the current neutral phase impact weather patterns in Brazil and globally?
- The absence of El Niño or La Niña creates more stable weather patterns compared to the extreme events associated with these phenomena. However, the current climate instability challenges this expectation, indicating a disruption in seasonal normalcy and a loss of predictability.
- What are the current conditions in the Pacific Ocean and why has La Niña not yet emerged?
- La Niña, predicted to begin in June 2024, hasn't materialized. Ocean temperatures in the central Pacific are 0.3°C below average, insufficient to meet the 0.5°C threshold for three consecutive months required for confirmation. The current neutrality follows the El Niño event that ended in June 2024, causing extreme weather events.
- What are the broader implications of the unusually warm global ocean temperatures and the potential weakening of the AMOC?
- The unusually warm global ocean temperatures, particularly in the North Atlantic (0.8°C above normal), are affecting weather patterns, contributing to low rainfall in the Amazon. The potential weakening of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) poses a significant risk to the global climate system, potentially leading to shifts in heat distribution and increased tropical heat accumulation.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The framing is generally neutral, presenting both the potential positive aspects of a neutral year and the ongoing concerns about climate change. However, the emphasis on the potential impacts of La Niña and the concerning rise in ocean temperatures might subtly frame the issue as one of impending threat. The repeated use of phrases such as "catastrophic", "crisis", and "seríssimo" contributes to this.
Language Bias
While generally neutral, the article uses some emotionally charged language, such as "catastróficos" and "seríssimo," which could influence the reader's perception of the severity of the situation. Using less emotionally charged words like "severe" or "serious" would maintain the gravity of the situation without being overly dramatic.
Bias by Omission
The article focuses primarily on the La Niña phenomenon and its potential impacts, but doesn't delve into other contributing factors to extreme weather events besides the warming ocean temperatures and weakening AMOC. The lack of discussion on other potential factors, such as deforestation or specific atmospheric changes, constitutes a bias by omission. While acknowledging the complexity of the issue, more comprehensive coverage would strengthen the analysis.
Sustainable Development Goals
The article discusses the potential for a weak La Niña event, but highlights the broader context of climate change and its disruptive effects. Rising ocean temperatures, a weakening Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), and melting polar ice caps are all mentioned as serious consequences of global warming. These phenomena are directly related to climate change and its impacts, making Climate Action the most relevant SDG.