Are We Ready for the Terror Threat Posed by El Niño?

Jun 7, 2023 | Erin Sikorsky
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Imagine the U.S. government had credible information that a terrorist group was planning attacks in multiple cities across the globe. Attacks that could result in the deaths of hundreds of people, the destruction of critical infrastructure, and military installations. Attacks that could disrupt food and water security for millions and require the deployment of thousands of soldiers to respond.

Now replace “terrorist group” with “El Niño.” Scientists are urgently warning of ‘a spike’ in global temperatures as the global climate pattern – known as El Niño – arrives and intersects with already rising temperatures driven by climate change. We know from experience that extreme heat can cause mass death, critical infrastructure damage, economic and political strain, and can lead to military deployments.