“The recent La Niña phase has not resulted in the expected global cooling, indicating a shift in climatic baselines”. Comment.
Kartavya Desk Staff
Topic: Salient features of world’s physical geography.
Topic: Salient features of world’s physical geography.
Q2. “The recent La Niña phase has not resulted in the expected global cooling, indicating a shift in climatic baselines”. Comment. (10 M).
Difficulty Level: Medium
Reference: DTE
Why the question: With the ongoing La Nina phenomenon, climate scientists were expecting a cooler 2025. But the temperatures in January indicate that to not be the case Key demand of the question: The question demands an explanation of why La Niña typically causes global cooling, the reasons behind the recent anomaly, and how this reflects a shift in climatic baselines due to anthropogenic influences. Structure of the Answer: Introduction: Briefly introduce La Niña as a phenomenon associated with global cooling, and highlight the unusual temperature anomaly observed in January 2025. Body: Why La Niña leads to global cooling: Explain its role in influencing ocean-atmosphere interactions that usually lower global temperatures. Reasons for the recent anomaly: Discuss factors like greenhouse gas emissions, residual heat from El Niño, and ocean heat content overriding natural cooling effects. Shift in climatic baselines: Explain how long-term climate change is redefining what is considered “normal,” making even La Niña years warmer than historical averages. Conclusion: Conclude by emphasizing the dominance of anthropogenic climate change over natural climatic cycles, stressing the need for global climate action to address the emerging challenges.
Why the question: With the ongoing La Nina phenomenon, climate scientists were expecting a cooler 2025. But the temperatures in January indicate that to not be the case
Key demand of the question: The question demands an explanation of why La Niña typically causes global cooling, the reasons behind the recent anomaly, and how this reflects a shift in climatic baselines due to anthropogenic influences.
Structure of the Answer:
Introduction: Briefly introduce La Niña as a phenomenon associated with global cooling, and highlight the unusual temperature anomaly observed in January 2025.
• Why La Niña leads to global cooling: Explain its role in influencing ocean-atmosphere interactions that usually lower global temperatures.
• Reasons for the recent anomaly: Discuss factors like greenhouse gas emissions, residual heat from El Niño, and ocean heat content overriding natural cooling effects.
• Shift in climatic baselines: Explain how long-term climate change is redefining what is considered “normal,” making even La Niña years warmer than historical averages.
Conclusion: Conclude by emphasizing the dominance of anthropogenic climate change over natural climatic cycles, stressing the need for global climate action to address the emerging challenges.