New study projects over 450,000 El Niño-related heat deaths
The World covers the latest CIL report on the mortality impacts of the Super El Nino.
The World
/
September 23, 2026
By Joshua Coe
The Atlantic has yet to see a hurricane this season, while Hurricane Polo, which briefly reached Category 5 strength, threatens Mexico’s Pacific coast. The contrast comes as a powerful El Niño develops, bringing potentially devastating consequences worldwide: a new report from the University of Chicago’s Climate Impact Lab estimates that unusually high temperatures could contribute to more than 451,000 deaths between June 2026 and February 2027. Indiana University climate scientist Chris Callahan joins The World to discuss the report, the potential impacts of a “Super El Niño,” and what can be done to protect vulnerable populations.
