El Niño Heat Could Cause Half-Million More Deaths, Study Warns

A research report from Chicago's Climate Impact Lab warns that this year's powerful El Niño could cause nearly half a million additional deaths globally by late February. The study attributes these fatalities to record global heat driven by the phenomenon, alongside severe droughts and wildfires affecting water supplies. Experts note that the risk is highest in poorer nations already struggling with food insecurity and high energy costs, as extra degrees are far more dangerous in hot climates lacking adequate air conditioning or healthcare access. While El Niño peaks around November–December 2023, researchers expect its lethal impact to persist well into next summer.