Episode Details

New Zealand’s region just recorded its second-warmest year ever, with temperatures 0.37°C above the 1991-2020 average, mirroring a global trend. A brewing El Niño adds urgency, while oceans suffered their worst marine heatwave on record — even without El Niño. Sea levels are rising 3.7mm annually since 1999, threatening Pacific communities whose livelihoods depend on the ocean. Devastating fires like Tongariro’s were fueled by record warmth, and glaciers — including Papua’s last tropical one — are vanishing fast. New Zealand’s glaciers have shrunk by nearly half since 2005, with hundreds more likely to disappear. The fact that last year was unusually hot during a cooling La Niña signals deeper trouble, with forecasters warning of more extreme heat, drought, and wind as El Niño intensifies — all while marine ecosystems face mounting stress.

Listen in comfort:
Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn.

Advertise on DNN:
advertise@thednn.ai

This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.
Report issues to feedback@thednn.ai.

View sources & latest updates:
https://sources.thednn.ai/86bb96f1b6d00343