Final answer:
The Southern Oscillation is a cycle of strengthening and reversing trade winds in the equatorial Pacific, which along with El Niño and La Niña, causes global changes in temperatures and rainfall.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Southern Oscillation is a cycle of strengthening and reversing trade winds in the equatorial Pacific. It is not another name for a La Niña event, nor does it have the ability to drastically alter climate or be of little concern. The Southern Oscillation, along with the El Niño and La Niña phenomena, causes global changes in temperatures and rainfall.