The new research comes as the world is experiencing an strong El Niño that is likely to break records.Rising water levels at the Wainaku Street Bridge in Hilo on the Big Island of Hawaii on Aug. 15.Taylor Cozloff / APAug. 27, 2026, 2:00 PM EDTBy Evan BushScientists have had a long-running debate about El Niño: Is the weather pattern entirely natural, or is its severity influenced by climate change? A new study offers strong evidence of the latter.Just a moment.We are getting your experience ready.