It's official: 2026 is an El Niño year

2026 is officially set to be a super El Niño year, with scientists warning it could rank among the strongest on record—potentially triggering trillions in global economic losses. As sea surface temperatures in the tropical Pacific surge above the 0.5°C threshold, the impacts are already being felt: Australian farmers are reducing herds by half, and Philippine chefs are adapting to climate-driven supply shortages. Dartmouth’s Justin Mankin reveals that El Niño doesn’t just cause temporary shocks—it permanently derails economic growth, creating a widening gap between what economies could have achieved and what they actually do. This comes amid a volatile global backdrop: rising energy prices from Middle East tensions, the European Central Bank’s rate hike, and a looming wave of high-profile tech IPOs—including SpaceX’s $75 billion debut. Wall Street is bracing for a market surge as SpaceX is set to join major indices, but concerns remain about whether the S&P 500 will allow loss-making AI firms into its index. Meanwhile, Atlanta gears up for the World Cup, balancing excitement with fears of traffic chaos and inflated costs. On a different note, a London mansion worth £190 million is on the market—but its buyer and seller remain anonymous, exposing deep flaws in the UK’s property transparency laws despite post-2022 reforms aimed at curbing hidden wealth.