António Guterres warns “more coal, oil and gas will lead to a more combustible future” amid El Niño

On Friday, UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned that an intensifying El Niño demands swift preparation and a move away from fossil fuels. Scientists at Columbia University have recorded the warmest readings yet for this phase of the Pacific warming pattern, and the World Meteorological Organization expects additional extreme heat, drought and rain through next year as it combines with existing climate change. Guterres urged governments and businesses to create better alert and cooling systems and protect workers, and said continued expansion of fossil-energy production would only worsen the planet’s fire and weather risks. The warning matters because El Niño is projected to intensify in the coming months and could affect large populations across Asia, South America, Africa and elsewhere.