Global climate records reached as El Niño threatens Latin America

Global greenhouse gas emissions reached historic highs in 2026, with August becoming the hottest month ever recorded at 1.65 °C above pre-industrial levels. According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the window to limit warming to 1.5 °C without exceeding the threshold has effectively closed due to decades of insufficient climate action.

Latin America is facing disproportionate impacts from these shifts. The World Meteorological Organization has warned of unprecedented heat, severe droughts, and rising sea levels in the Caribbean and tropical Atlantic. Additionally, the 2026-2027 El Niño phenomenon is projected to be ‘very strong’ with over 90% probability.

The economic and social consequences for the region are significant. The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) estimates that an extreme El Niño event could cost the region 2% of its GDP over three years and push 4.8 million people into poverty. While Central America and the Caribbean face crop losses exceeding 30%, the Andean region and the Pacific coast are bracing for extreme rainfall and flooding.