The Amazon rainforest, often called the lungs of our planet, is buckling under the pressure of rampant deforestation and climate change. It’s looking increasingly likely that this El Niño, which arrived in June, will become the strongest on record. El Niño alters weather patterns around the world, and in the Amazon, it typically worsens drought and wildfires. The stronger the El Niño, the more likely it is that these expected outcomes will occur. “And then if we continue to have these escalating El Niños—these El Niños that get stronger and stronger—then it’s very concerning,” he said.