Staying Safe and Secure When El Niño Strikes

Literally, El Niño means ‘the little boy.’ Some might think Fernando Torres is the only footballer in history who truly earned the nickname, thanks to his remarkable ability on the pitch. It was this ability that saw him become the youngest captain of Atlético Madrid in his era, taking on the role at just 19.

When he was promoted to Atlético’s senior team, Torres was only 16. His teammates initially doubted him because of his innocent, boyish appearance. They did not think much of his name, and so they all called him ‘the little boy.’

Being underestimated did not intimidate the young Torres. He did not even leave the club where he had discovered football at the age of 11, despite Atlético Madrid’s relegation to the second division in May 2000.

That major setback was preceded by a leadership crisis within the club, which had won the La Liga and Copa del Rey double in 1996. The crisis led to the departure of top and senior players. Relegation then eroded the confidence of sponsors, leaving the club unable to buy or afford to pay high-caliber players.

This was why Torres was given the captain’s armband and the right to lead players older than himself. Financial limitations had placed him in the position of team captain, because the club could only rely on players who had come through its own football academy.

Torres’s name rose to prominence because his ability was considered above average compared with his peers at the time. He became the only Atlético academy graduate to be named FIFA Player of the Year (2008), and he finished third in the Ballon d’Or that same year.

Illustration: Full moon at Mulyoagung, Dau, Malang. 

The ‘Blessing’ of Nature’s Imbalance

Looking at Torres’s story above, it is only human to imagine that El Niño in the Pacific, which is forecast to continue into early 2027, might also eventually have its own happy ending.

As a weather phenomenon, El Niño refers to a sudden rise in sea-surface temperatures that affects weather patterns across surrounding regions. According to scientists, the rise in sea-surface temperatures itself can be caused by various factors, particularly human activities involving the use of natural resources.

The town where I have lived with my family since childhood is among the areas hit quite hard by El Niño. Not far from our home, rice fields have dried up and residents’ wells have begun to run out of water. The days feel intensely hot, and quite a few people have started falling ill.

Some of the people I met were not surprised by the situation. The exploitation of nature in our town has indeed continued to increase over the past several years. The consequences were bound to come, sooner or later. Quietly, they had already imagined what could happen to their town if the brakes on exploitation ever failed.

We see the arrival of El Niño as a reminder to be more careful in the way we treat nature, and to once again acknowledge the trees, springs, and certain places that were once regarded as sacred.

That acknowledgment takes the form of offering ritual offerings according to the customs practiced at those locations. It is an act that symbolizes humility and an apology to the natural world for the arbitrary ways in which we have treated it.

It is true that not many people think this way. Yet suddenly becoming aware of our mistakes can itself be a ‘blessing’ that may save us from greater harm in the future.

We cannot undo the consequences of a mistake in making a decision, nor can we ask the Creator to erase that mistake as though it had never happened. (dswas).