The world is preparing for a potentially powerful El Niño, a climate phenomenon that can alter rainfall patterns and increase the risk of droughts, floods and extreme heat in different parts of the world. On 21 October, the United Nations issued an urgent appeal to protect the most vulnerable communities from its potentially devastating consequences.
As previously reported in Daily 27 in “Sea Surface and Ocean Temperatures Reached New Record Highs in 2024”, by climate scientist Kevin Trenberth, the world’s oceans continued to reach record temperatures in 2024, even as El Niño conditions weakened. Research published in Advances in Atmospheric Sciences confirmed that both global sea-surface temperatures and ocean heat content reached record highs that year. Although El Niño contributes to natural climate variability, the continued accumulation of heat in the oceans also reflects long-term human-caused global warming.
These impacts do not affect everyone equally. Droughts can threaten food security and access to safe water, while floods can damage homes, schools and healthcare facilities. For children, the consequences can extend beyond immediate danger, disrupting education, health and access to essential support. Preparing for these risks means protecting the services and relationships children depend on before disaster strikes.
El Niño’s consequences can last for years
The effects of El Niño may persist long after the climate event itself has passed. A study published in Nature Climate Change in January 2026, Enduring impacts of El Niño on life expectancy in past and future climates, examines how El Niño can undermine improvements in life expectancy and affect mortality over time. The researchers identify particular vulnerability among people under 30, highlighting the importance of considering the long-term consequences of climate variability for younger generations.
This evidence reinforces the need to look beyond immediate emergency responses. Protecting children and young people requires resilient healthcare, nutrition, education and social support systems that can withstand climate-related shocks and help communities recover.
What the DANA in Valencia can teach us
Research conducted after the devastating DANA floods in Valencia on 29 October 2024 offers practical lessons on how schools can protect children during emergencies.
Published in Sustainability in 2025, the scientific study Co-Creating Educational Action to Protect Children After DANA Floods in Spain brought together researchers and education professionals from 18 schools to develop six evidence-informed actions. These included identifying the needs of school communities, creating safe learning environments, strengthening solidarity networks and providing specific support to vulnerable groups.
The study documents how these actions were developed collaboratively and their initial implementation following the disaster. Although their long-term effects require further evaluation, the findings offer practical guidance for strengthening schools’ role in protecting children and supporting community recovery.
As explained in Six Key Actions for Schools Facing a DANA, educational communities can use these lessons to prepare for emergencies rather than having to improvise their response when a crisis occurs.
Turning evidence into prevention
El Niño and a DANA are different climate phenomena, but both highlight the importance of preparedness. Schools can establish communication networks, identify vulnerable students and families, plan how to maintain safe learning environments and coordinate with local services. Governments must also ensure that early-warning systems and emergency plans are in place and that essential services can continue operating.
Scientific research can help identify risks, while educational communities can turn that knowledge into practical measures to protect children. The challenge is to ensure that this evidence informs prevention plans before emergencies occur.
El Niño is a natural phenomenon, but its consequences are shaped by social inequalities and the capacity of institutions to respond. Protecting children starts before disaster strikes: by using available evidence, strengthening communities and ensuring that those most at risk are not left without support.
References
- United Nations (2026). UN agencies appeal for help to protect the weakest from unprecedented El Niño.
- Xu, H. et al. (2026). Enduring impacts of El Niño on life expectancy in past and future climates. Nature Climate Change.
- Roca-Campos, E., Carbonell-Sevilla, S., Canal-Barbany, J. M., Barrachina-Sauri, M., Girbés-Peco, S., Giner-Gota, E., & Flecha, R. (2025). Co-Creating Educational Action to Protect Children After DANA Floods in Spain. Sustainability, 17(4), 1542. https://doi.org/10.3390/su17041542.
PhD in Sociology from the University of Barcelona. Early Childhood Education Teacher. Substitute Teacher at the Universitat de València.