Contrast

2017 is an El Niño year, which means that the Western Hemisphere’s weather will be a bit more erratic than usual. In Delaware, we’ve seen fluctuating temperature and inconsistent snow forecasts, both of which are simultaneously causes for jubilation and dismay. Overwhelmingly, we want the dismal winter weather to subside in favor of sunny spring days that are perfect for tanning out on the green (if you’re into that sort of thing) or a friendly game of hoops. (Who isn’t into some pickup ball in the sunshine?) With this fickle weather lies hope that perhaps spring will come sooner rather than later, and the fluctuations will be between a chilly 65° and a welcomed 90°. If we are so lucky, and the cold spell breaks soon, we will have El Niño to thank (and maybe general climate shift, too).

2017 is an El Niño year, which means the Western Hemisphere’s weather will be a bit more erratic than usual. In Peru, the government has a department specifically dedicated to the phenomenon because it is so impactful to the South American country’s coast. This El Niño has been particularly devastating for Peru. Torrential rains have hammered the coastline relentlessly causing unprecedented mudslides. The ferocious weather has left upwards of 100,000 people homeless, and nearly 100 dead. There have been rescue operations underway for the last week, and the streets of the mountainous country have been flooded with feet of muddy unsanitary water. People have been forced inland, out of their homes, and out of their lives. Rivers are breaching their banks and leaving surrounding communities submerged. Peru’s infrastructure has suffered dramatically — several major bridges have collapsed, and major interstates have been compromised by the flooding. Although the levels of rain are not the highest on record for an El Niño year (the highest total came in the 90’s), the rain is falling more heavily in a more compressed time, resulting in extraneous stress to infrastructure, both natural and manmade. Coastal communities are being destroyed and irreparably damaged, displacing whole cities and villages at a time. Will the international community rally around Peru and send aide? That is to be seen. The climactic extremes that Peru is facing should serve as a stark reminder that our impact on our climate has global effects. It may not be so long before instead of the cliffs of Peru falling into the sea, it is the towering sky scrapers that dot Manhattan.