Climate

According to industry data, global solar power generation has surpassed nuclear power generation in annual electricity statistics for the first time, marking a further rise in the position of renewable energy in the energy mix. The milestone reflects a decade of rapid declines in photovoltaic installed capacity and generation costs, alongside the aging-and-new-build dilemmas facing nuclear power in many countries.

Flash floods and landslides triggered by heavy rainfall have struck multiple regions of Nepal, destroying homes and forcing large numbers of residents to evacuate. Local authorities have activated emergency response, are assessing relief needs and delivering relief supplies to affected areas, while neighboring countries and international humanitarian agencies have expressed concern and are preparing to provide assistance.

Hurricane Simon has rapidly intensified over the southwestern Pacific off Mexico to a Category 4 storm with sustained winds of 155 mph and is expected to make landfall or graze Mexico’s Pacific coast within hours. Federal and state authorities have activated emergency evacuations and disaster response operations, with multiple states declaring emergencies and opening shelter facilities as forecasters warn of dangerous storm surge, heavy rainfall and elevated landslide risk.

On 23 September 2026, Reuters and other outlets reported new research warning that the developing super El Niño is projected to cause roughly 451,000 excess deaths between winter 2026 and February 2027, primarily driven by extreme heat. The researchers emphasised that the event has already broken multiple historical temperature records before reaching its peak, with intensity and pace of development far exceeding any previous El Niño, posing a serious challenge to global public health and climate adaptation systems.

The San Francisco Chronicle reported that California Governor Newsom formally declared a statewide state of emergency in anticipation of an incoming strong El Niño climate event. The El Niño is expected to bring extreme weather including heavy rainfall, strong winds, massive waves, and flooding to the California coast, posing severe tests to residents’ safety, critical infrastructure, and the operation of the economy and society.

Italy and the Balkans are experiencing a severe heatwave with record temperatures, raising wildfire fears. France previously recorded 1,000 excess deaths during a heat wave.

Scientists warn that a developing El Nino event could become one of the strongest on record, potentially pushing global temperatures to new highs.

[Flash] Powerful El Nino Set to Reshape Global Weather in 2026 Scientists warn that a powerful El Nino is developing that could significantly alter global weather patterns. This will impact global agricultural yields, water resource allocation, and disaster preparedness. El Nino typically increases extreme weather around the Pacific Rim, including droughts, floods, and heat waves. Source: USA Today via Google News

Two new studies published in Nature reveal that deep ocean heat is moving toward Antarctica, explaining a long-standing anomaly in global sea level rise, while warning of a likely El Niño event by late 2026.