La Niña is Better for Wildlife

There seems to be a lot of hype and enthusiasm for potential approaching El Niño conditions later this year. It’s easy to get sucked up in the enthusiasm.

Even if you’re not a surfer, you may be enthusiastic just to be able to see huge, crashing waves at the beach. Or you may be grateful that it can lead to increased rainfall and hence reduced drought conditions.

The converse is that people may feel disappointed about La Niña conditions. The lower potential for there to be more storms, big waves, etc. may be disappointing.

But I want people to really be clear about this and try to see with your third eye. What should be most important is what is beneficial for life, especially marine life.

According to AI inquiries I’ve made, La Niña is definitely better for wildlife. El Niño reduces cold water upwelling, meaning less nutrient rich water from the deep ocean reaches the surface to nourish life. Those nutrient-rich waters then feed fish which can feed cetaceans, birds, and other animals.

During El Niño, weaker upwelling means fewer nutrients near the surface, so fish populations can drop and higher predators may struggle to find food. It can also cause drought, unusual rain, habitat shifts, and mass mortality in vulnerable species in some places like the Galápagos.

– galapagosconservation.org.uk

While I also love watching those huge, crashing waves at the ocean, what makes my heart glad is to know that wildlife in the oceans – which are already under great strain from humans – are living as wholesomely as possible.

A strong El Niño can make coastal waters warmer and less productive, so fish populations drop. That can leave penguins, seabirds, and other predators with too little food, which can reduce breeding success or increase mortality.

– oceanconservancy.org

So please, even if you want there to be El Niño, you can say a little prayer in your heart every time you think about the weather patterns. Say a little ‘Om mani pādme hum’ and send good intentions for all wildlife. This is a great opportunity to create a spiritual practice in your life and develop non-attachment.