El Nino

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El Nino

Summary

The article Record El Nino set to Cause Hunger for 10 Million poorest, Oxfam Warns delivers on the intended effects brought about by the impending arrival of the heavy precipitation (Milman 1). The climatic conditions expected within the course of the year are projected to have devastating effects, especially on the poorest nations around the globe. The article states that countries like Ethiopia would be hard hit due to the issues surrounding failed crops. In countries like Malawi, maize production has been slashed by more than a quarter, while farmers from Central America had endured droughts of up to two years. In Indonesia, majority of the provinces have been declared drought-infested whereas two million people in Papua New Guinea has experienced severe frosts and shriveled crops due to excessive heat. A prediction on the extent of this year’s El Nino has been targeted as the strongest ever from 1950.

            The article details comparisons on the El Nino occurrence of the year 1998, which amounted to wanton property damage of up to $33 billion as well as death of two thousand people. It takes a turn on the need for humanitarian emergencies especially on the major levels, as the consequences can be disastrous if not availed. Response from the Oxfam Chief Executive from Australia delivers on the appropriate measures that are being put in place at the expectations of the climatic conditions. Countries like Malawi and Papua New Guinea detail the already channeled forms of preparedness and mitigation capacities in order to avert the major losses. Towards the article’s conclusion, long-term visions are expressed on the need for addressing issues of climatic change as a concern throughout the world as opposed to patching up communities once the tragedies are experienced.

Opinion

Addressing the issues of El Nino occurrence and the impending consequences is important for the communities in the poorest of nations around the world. With the historical evidence of previous occurrences, like in 1950 and the more recent one of 1998, preparedness and mitigation capabilities should be put in place as early as possible. It is important due to the effects of climatic changes experienced and humanistic influence on the same. The impending costs of property losses, shortage of food, lives at stake as well as displacement of persons requires holistic approaches by all involved nations. It should not be left as a prelude of the affected countries alone. Due to the level of inequality, infrastructural differences, and incapability of the poor nations, help is imperative for the preservation of lives, property, food sources, and settlement plans. Consulted efforts in helping the countries are ideal, as the deadline period draws closer.

            I chose this article on El Nino due to the growing concern on global warming and the effects of climate change. For a while now, different people have divergent views on the authenticity of global warming especially down to human activities. By delivering on the article and studied effects of El Niño from the past, it helps in increasing attention towards changes within nations on their activities. The increased emission of greenhouses gases, clearing of arable land for settlement, deforestation, and burning of fossil fuels increase the adverse effects generated from global warming (Simon 14). Man is responsible for all the above causes. Personally, the article increases my urge for reconsideration of all activities within the natural environment as well as cooperation between nations.  

Works Cited:

Milman, Oliver. “Record El Nino set to Cause Hunger for 10 Million poorest, Oxfam Warns.” The Guardian 1 October 2015: Print.

Simon, Seymour. Global Warming. New York: Collins, 2010. Print.