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Key developments
NOAA says 2026 El Niño is underway
NOAA reports the 2026 El Niño has begun and could strengthen into a strong or “super” event, according to Living on Earth and Inside Climate News. Climate scientist Kevin Trenberth said warming in the central and eastern tropical Pacific could shift rainfall and storm tracks worldwide, bringing wetter conditions to parts of the western U.S. and Mexico, warmer and drier conditions to parts of the northern U.S. and southern Canada, weaker Southeast Asian monsoons, and drought, flooding, disease, and insect risks in parts of Africa. Trenberth also warned that weakened ocean observing systems could reduce forecasting capability and said El Niño plus greenhouse-gas warming could push global temperatures to records through at least mid-2027.
Why it matters
A strong El Niño would amplify near-term climate hazards across multiple regions while testing forecasting systems and disaster preparedness.
Sources & driving stories
LIVING ON EARTH
Living on Earth coverageINSIDE CLIMATE NEWS · Derek Harrison
Inside Climate News coverageScientists map more climate-resilient coral reefs
Cyprus Mail reported that scientists identified nearly 166,000 sq km, or 64,000 sq miles, of coral reefs capable of surviving and recovering from climate change—three times more than previously estimated. The analysis combined 45,000 coral surveys with decades of climate and ocean data and found resilient reefs across 71 countries and 100 territories, including parts of the Caribbean, Pacific, and Atlantic. Wildlife Conservation Society researchers said only 28% of these reefs are currently within protected or conserved areas, making the findings relevant to countries’ “30 by 30” marine protection plans.
Why it matters
The map gives governments a more targeted basis for protecting reefs most likely to endure warming, bleaching, pollution, and storm stress.
Sources & driving stories
CYPRUS MAIL
Cyprus Mail coverageBangladesh budget targets 7,000 MW renewables
BSS reported on June 20 that Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission chairman Jalal Ahmed said next fiscal year’s budget support could help Bangladesh reach 7,000 MW of renewable electricity generation by 2030. The country currently has 1,781.09 MW of installed renewable capacity, with 1,172 MW across 26 projects under construction and 665 MW from 15 projects in tendering, expected to connect by 2029. The proposed budget includes supports and incentives, while analysts said exemptions on import taxes and duties for solar panels, inverters, and lithium batteries could cut rooftop solar costs by 15% to 20%.
Why it matters
Bangladesh’s ability to scale renewables depends on whether fiscal incentives are matched by grid modernization, storage, and investment stability.
Sources & driving stories
BSS
BSS coverageWorth noting
WORTH NOTING
Bonn adaptation negotiations stalled
Bob Berwyn reported that UN climate talks in Bonn ended without agreed adaptation text, deferring unresolved issues on finance, adaptation indicators, and the adaptation fund board to COP31 under rule 16.
WORTH NOTING
Germany faces extended heat warnings
DW reported German heat warnings for an extended heatwave with forecast temperatures reaching 38C, alongside risks from tropical nights, heat stress, severe thunderstorms, hail, and heavy rain.
WORTH NOTING
Caribbean grid initiative launched
The Jamaica Observer reported that the Caribbean Development Bank launched a US$1.5 million technical assistance project to assess renewable resources, demand, submarine interconnections, grid reinforcement, and power-market development across the region.
Still unclear
OPEN QUESTION
Will resilient reefs enter protection plans?
Only 28% of newly mapped climate-resilient reefs are currently protected, so the practical test is whether governments incorporate the data into 30 by 30 marine planning and funding decisions.
OPEN QUESTION
Can El Niño monitoring remain robust?
Forecast quality for a potentially strong 2026 El Niño depends on tropical Pacific observing systems that scientists warn could be weakened.