El Niño events can have significant global impacts, including severe droughts in regions like Australia and heavy rainfall leading to flooding in western equatorial South America. These conditions can disrupt agriculture, water resources, and ecosystems, posing risks to food security and economic stability. Coastal areas affected by reduced upwelling may also experience declines in marine biodiversity due to the lack of nutrient-rich waters. The variability in weather patterns can further exacerbate vulnerabilities in affected regions. [Source: NOAA]