In the face of escalating climate change impacts, three compelling stories reveal the crisis's complexity: Zambia's corn harvest plummets to a 14-year low due to an El Niño-induced drought, highlighting agricultural vulnerabilities; the world records its 12th straight month of unprecedented heat, driven by climate change and El Niño, resulting in extreme weather events; and Mexico elects Claudia Sheinbaum, a climate scientist, as president, marking a pivotal moment for climate leadership. 

Zambia's agricultural crisis amid El Niño's grip

Zambia is grappling with its worst corn harvest in 14 years, attributed to a severe El Niño-induced drought. This agricultural downturn is not just a blow to Zambia's economy, but it also intensifies the nation’s food security issues.

As corn is a staple crop, the reduced yield has sparked concerns over rising food prices and potential shortages.

The drought also compounds inflationary pressures, as seen with Zambia's inflation rate climbing to 14.7 per cent in May. This scenario underscores the vulnerability of agriculture-dependent economies to climate variability.

Record-breaking global heat and its implications

The world has witnessed its 12th consecutive month of record-breaking heat, primarily driven by climate change and exacerbated by the return of the El Niño phenomenon.

This relentless rise in global temperatures has led to an increase in extreme weather events, such as heatwaves, droughts and wildfires. The continuous trend of higher temperatures underscores the urgent need for comprehensive climate action to mitigate these effects.

The global community must prioritize reducing greenhouse gas emissions and enhancing resilience to weather-related disasters to protect ecosystems, economies, and public health.

Mexico’s historic election: A climate scientist president

In a landmark election, Mexico has chosen Claudia Sheinbaum, a climate scientist, as its president. This historic decision marks the first time a woman and a climate expert will lead the country.

Sheinbaum has pledged significant investments in clean energy and sustainable transportation. However, her ability to implement these ambitious green policies may be challenged by the existing political landscape, particularly her connections to the fossil fuel-friendly administration of her predecessor, López Obrador.

Her presidency will test the balance between scientific commitment and political pragmatism in advancing Mexico’s climate agenda. 

Connecting the dots

These three narratives — Zambia's drought-induced agricultural crisis, the world's unprecedented streak of record temperatures, and Mexico's election of a climate-focused president — highlight the multifaceted nature of the climate crisis. Whether it's mitigating the immediate impacts of droughts in Africa, addressing global temperature rises, or navigating the political challenges of implementing green policies in Latin America, the message is clear: climate action is imperative. The international community must work together to foster resilience, reduce emissions and support leaders committed to a sustainable future.

Steps to Address the Climate Crisis

• Global cooperation: Nations must work together to implement comprehensive climate policies.
• Reduce emissions: Prioritize the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions through renewable energy sources and increased energy efficiency.
• Invest in resilience: Develop infrastructure and systems to withstand extreme weather events.
• Support agricultural adaptation: Provide resources and technology to help agricultural sectors adapt to changing climate conditions.
• Political commitment: Ensure that climate scientists and advocates are supported in political roles to implement effective climate strategies.

The underlying element in all of this is strong leadership, both politically and within organizations, to take the steps necessary to prioritize the world around us. It is critical that while we continue to operate day to day, we need to have a longer-term focus on the environment around us and how we can take steps, big and small, to ensure we all are making progress toward a lower-carbon economy.