- The Guardian
- Issue #2202
African nations have been urged to step up preparations for what could become one of the strongest El Niño events on record, say scientists. Climate scientists have issued a warning that heavy rains, floods, droughts and other extreme weather conditions could trigger widespread humanitarian and economic impacts across the continent from October.
Forecasts point to the likelihood of a strong El Niño developing later this year, prompting governments and regional institutions to accelerate disaster preparedness measures to reduce the risks posed by flooding, food insecurity, water shortages and disease outbreaks.
According to the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) forecasts from leading global climate centres indicate that seasonal-average sea-surface temperature anomalies are expected to exceed 2.9 degrees Celsius in key monitoring regions, signalling the development of a strong El Niño event.
The WMO also forecasts a positive Indian Ocean Dipole, a climate pattern in which the western Indian Ocean is warmer than average while the eastern Indian Ocean is cooler.
Combined with a strengthening El Niño, the two climate phenomena are expected to intensify weather extremes, increasing the risk of drought and flooding, particularly across African countries bordering the Indian Ocean basin.
Moses Vilakati, the African Union commissioner for agriculture, rural development, blue economy and sustainable environment, warned the projected El Niño could be the strongest since 1950.
Vilakati said: “These impacts will not only affect vulnerable households; they will also place considerable pressure on national economies, public finances, and regional stability.”
He said lessons from the 2023-24 El Niño, which affected more than 71 million people across southern Africa, should serve as a call for urgency, preparedness, and collective action. That El Niño led to devastating floods, displaced communities and destroyed infrastructure.
PARASITE OF THE WEEK: the Queensland government.
Community members rallied outside Queensland’s Parliament last week calling on the LNP government to withdraw legislation that would give Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie sweeping powers to fast-track major development projects by bypassing environmental assessments and seizing private property.
More than 300 farmers and regional residents have signed an open letter, urging the government to walk back the State Development and Public Works Organisation (Critical Minerals) and other Legislation Amendment Bill 2026.
The Bill would have wide-reaching powers. Beyond critical minerals, it would affect all proposed coal, gas, tourism, mining, and infrastructure projects.
Nearly 90% of 90 submissions were critical of the bill, including from Property Rights Australia, the Queensland Farmers Federation, the Queensland Law Society and Cotton Australia.
Maggie Mckeown, Queensland Coordinator of anti-fossil fuels activists Lock the Gate Alliance said: “This bill is a dangerous power grab by the Deputy Premier. It would remove rights from farmers and landholders, and tip the power balance far too strongly in the favour of big developers.
“Landholders and communities could be locked out of their right to scrutinise the impacts of development projects. The LNP once represented regional Queenslanders, but the way they’re rushing through these laws without consulting farmers shows how much they’re willing to sacrifice to support big business interests.
“The public hearing, which was held at short notice in Mackay, was stacked with mining industry representatives. Farmers, First Nations groups and communities haven’t had a meaningful opportunity to raise their concerns.
“That’s why hundreds of farmers have written an open letter calling on the Deputy Premier and Queensland government to withdraw these dangerous laws, and restart with a genuine process of community consultation.”
Anthony Gough, Acting Director, Queensland Conservation Council said: “Conservationists around the state have grave concerns about this bill. There are protections in place to safeguard Queensland’s land, water and communities. But if this bill passes through parliament, those safeguards could be stripped away.
“This bill would be a disaster for Queensland’s precious environments and the communities and industries that rely on it.”
