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As the Northern Hemisphere goes through massive floods and tornadoes, there is a flurry of speculation about these events and the relationship between global warming and El Niño. Although most scientist will admit there is a connection, all will say it is difficult to prove.

El Niño is a periodic weather event where the ocean waters are warmer than normal, thus causing heavy rains in the north and stronger hurricanes in the South Pacific. In the last 120 years, scientists have been able to track it as a recurring phenomenon. However, there have been more El Niños than predicted in recent years. Although it’s not definite proof of a relationship between nature and global warming, it’s hard to ignore that weather patterns seem to be mirroring human activities.

Since no one can empirically prove that global warming effects El Niño, we have to take a leap of faith and simply commit to going green. It won’t hurt us, and maybe it will help us. If the idea of buying expensive natural products turns you off, try the old fashioned practice of re-using grocery bags, plastic containers and bottles. Our grandparents did this to be frugal, and this is certainly a generation that could benefit from that! On the other hand, a reduction in production of the plastics, used in the many containers we buy, could only have a positive effect on the carbon cycle throughout the planet. If everyone on earth made one simple change to their lifestyle, that was green, then over time, we could probably scientifically prove that humans can have a positive effect on the environment, too.