Some Actions to Anticipate El Nino and La Nina.

This hub doesn't mean to scare readers on the possible presence of El Nino but it is more for our awareness if El Nino or El Nina comes. El Nino, also called El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO), is a nature phenomenon which takes place when there is oscillation of atmosphere system which effects the weather around the globe. The oscillation of atmosphere starts when there are wind movements over Pacific so that warm waves cross the ocean. This condition creates a pool of warm water near South America, where most of its temperatures are normally cold.

Oppositely, when there is low temperature on the surface in the central and eastern of Pacific ocean the condition will create La Nina. The shift of temperatures in Pacific Ocean will eventually alter the weather globally which may last for 12 month.

The change in pattern of global weather brings some consequences which causes destructive flood and drought .

The effects of El Nino can be devastating. Thousands of people died caused by famine, floods, flash flood, landslide during the strikes of El Nino.

March - May :

The strongest effects are in Western Pacific Ocean.

North Mexico gets more rain.

North-east of Brazil stays drier.

Europe rains more.

June - August :

Eastern Indonesia suffers drought since the rain zone has moved to islands along equator in Pacific Ocean.

September - November :

The effects of El Nino are the strongest. Almost all Indonesia, the Philippines, and Eastern Australia are drier than usual. Large parts of India are drier than usual too.

December - February :

Philippines and Eastern Indonesia stay drier. Pacific islands along equator remain wetter. Florida gets more rain. Uruguay and South Brazil rainfall increase on average. Along the coast of Ecuador and Peru rainfall increase when coastal waters heat up.

Peru is where effects of El Nino begin, the effects on main components of climate like sunshine, temperature, atmospheric pressure, winds, humidity, ocean currents all change weather patterns around the globe.

Air humidity will be very dry, this can create a favorable condition for fires. Months of drought had caused some forest fires which burned in Sumatra, Borneo , and Malaysia.

Droughts will also make water scarcity, this effect will influence people in using water very thriftily. Combination of environmental condition with people's behavior/lifestyle during El Nino may cause the outbreaks of some diseases like cholera, malaria, and dengue fever .

El Nino and La Nina have happened for ages. What the experts have observed that these phenomena show a tendency to increase intensity and the scale of their impacts.

Growing consumption of greenhouse gases in our lives is blamed to be main cause of this condition. Main gasses categorized as greenhouse-effects maker are Carbon Dioxide (CO2), Methane (CH4), Dinitro Oxide (N2O), and Hydrofluorocarbon (HFC). Those gasses are resulted from consumption of fossil fuel (gasoline and coal), deforestation, air conditioner and agriculture(the use of fertilizers). Green house effects have boosted emission of more heat toward Pacific Ocean, where El Nino starts to form.

The worst destruction caused by El Nino happened in 1982-1983 when 1500 people died and caused total loss of US$ 80 million.

Despite the saying :" History repeats itself" but we don't want miseries caused by El Nino/La Nina to repeat of course, that's why all people around the world need to make efforts hand in hand in lowering rates of consumption of greenhouse-inducing materials, controlling population, eliminating or minimizing land degradation and pollution.

- Reduce greenhouse gasses :

Avoid or lessen using products which cause greenhouse effects or doing activities which worsen greenhouse effects.

- Grow more trees :

Trees will help conserve ground water that we need in droughts,

Trees are useful for protecting lowland from (flash) floods.

Trees will use CO2 in air for Photosynthesis, and

Tree leaves will also be useful for shade.

-Make Water Absorption Zone at your areas :

Every area in your vicinities should have open space for water absorption. This will be useful for water conservation as well as for flood absorption.

If there is little space available in the yard, you can consider to make Biopore Absorption Holes (BAH) . BAH is a technique in water conservation developed by DR. Kamir R Brata, a scientist form Bogor Agricultural Institute. The principle of BAH is that we make holes on the ground which numbers are made comparable to rain intensity in the area. The holes then filled with compos so that small creatures in ground like worms and other decomposers can live and create pores through which water can flow down becomes ground water.

-Keep your areas clean :

Cleanliness of the ditches from clogging material in your areas is essential especially in anticipating floods.

Bury all used cans and unused containers in the ground, this is to avoid those scraps to be used as breeding places by dangerous mosquitoes.

Keep cleanliness of your body and family, and consume healthy food. This will create instant protection for you and loved ones.