The UN warns that an unusual El Niño phenomenon will worsen “a planet that is already on fire”

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres warned on Friday that an intensifying El Niño weather phenomenon is driving the world into uncharted territory. Speaking to the press, Guterres stated that the climate pattern is already breaking intensity records in its early stages and will likely provoke even more extreme weather globally as it continues to grow.

The UN chief described the developing phenomenon as "adding fuel to a planet already in flames." El Niño, which originates in the Pacific Ocean, is expected to worsen ongoing global heating trends, compounding the impacts of climate change currently affecting regions worldwide.