'Godzilla-level': Fossil fuel use worsens El Niño by 36 pct
A new study published in Science magazine reveals that human-caused global warming has transformed the natural Pacific weather cycle into 'Godzilla'-level extreme weather events.
A study published in Science by a research team led by the University of Michigan revealed that fossil fuel-induced global warming has made El Niño weather events 36 percent more severe compared to the pre-industrial era. This finding was also independently confirmed by Australia's national science agency, CSIRO.
The most striking aspect of the research is the historical evidence it presents regarding the cause of the increased severity. By examining 900-year-old coral fossils from the Galápagos Islands, scientists determined that the extreme El Niño events of recent years cannot be explained by natural cycles, and that the main trigger is greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere. According to the University of Michigan researchers, this evidence shows that the destructive El Niños, dubbed 'Godzilla', are no longer an exception.
Future scenarios are even more worrying. NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) models predict that if aggressive emission scenarios continue, the frequency of extreme El Niño events could rise from every 20 years to every 10 years by the end of the 21st century. This prediction was also confirmed by CSIRO.
These scientific data also align with recent weather events. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) confirmed that the strong El Niño cycle in 2023-2024 directly contributed to 2024 being the hottest year on record. This observation was also independently corroborated by the Copernicus Climate Change Service.
Impact on Türkiye: Record Temperatures and Drought Risk
The devastating effects of the combination of global warming and El Niño have also been felt in Türkiye. According to data from the General Directorate of Meteorology (MGM), record temperatures exceeding 45°C were recorded in some regions during the 2023-2024 period. Experts state that this situation poses a serious threat to agricultural production and water resources. Climate scientists like Prof. Dr. Şermin Tağıl emphasize that temperatures far above seasonal norms both reduce agricultural productivity and bring dam water levels to critical levels.
The research presents the strongest evidence yet that the fossil fuel economy is not only causing gradual warming, but also accelerating the planet's millennia-old natural climate cycles, turning them into devastating crisis triggers.
This article was produced with the assistance of AI tools and reviewed by an editor before publication.
