Final answer:
El Niño is a warm ocean current that impacts weather patterns globally, causing extreme weather events. While it is not considered climate change itself, it can be influenced by climate change. Climate change, on the other hand, refers to long-term changes in average weather conditions that have a range of effects on various ecosystems, including coral reefs.
Step-by-step explanation:
El Niño is the warm phase of the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO). It occurs when a band of warm ocean water develops in the central and east-central equatorial Pacific. This warm current flows off the west coast of South America every few years, causing changes in weather patterns globally. El Niño can lead to extreme weather events, such as fires, droughts, flooding, crop failures, insect explosions, and higher prices on goods and services.
El Niño has the potential to affect economies that rely on farming and fishing, particularly in the regions directly impacted. For example, water shortages can affect the commercial and recreational fishing industry, while higher temperatures can weaken the agricultural industry. Overall, El Niño events are short-term perturbations in climate and are not considered to be long-term climate change.
Climate change, on the other hand, refers to long-term changes in average weather conditions that last for at least several decades. While El Niño is not considered climate change, it can be influenced by climate change. The effects of climate change, including increasing levels of carbon dioxide, can have significant impacts on coral reefs and local ecosystems. These effects may include coral bleaching, habitat loss, and changes in species composition, leading to the overall degradation and decline of coral reefs.