Final answer:
El Niño is a warm ocean current that affects weather patterns globally. Its consequences include extreme weather, environmental impact, economic challenges, and health effects.
Step-by-step explanation:
El Niño is a warm ocean current that flows off the west coast of South America every few years. This phenomenon affects weather patterns globally, leading to a range of consequences.
Some of the effects/consequences of El Niño include:
- Extreme Weather: El Niño can cause extreme weather events such as storms, floods, fires, and droughts in various regions around the world.
- Environmental Impact: El Niño can result in environmental degradation, desertification, and sea-level rise.
- Economic Impact: Economies that rely on farming, fishing, and tourism in El Niño-affected regions may suffer from crop failures, fish die-offs, reduced tourism, and other economic challenges.
- Health Effects: El Niño can indirectly contribute to the spread of vector-borne diseases and worsen respiratory problems due to changes in ecosystems and climatic conditions.
Overall, El Niño has the potential to disrupt ecosystems, impact economies, and pose risks to human health and well-being.