Super El Nino, could Franciscan economics help?

As scientists warn that a potential ‘super’ El Niño could be among the strongest on record, governments and communities around the world are preparing for the disruption it may bring. Extreme weather, crop failures, supply chain pressures and rising food prices are all possible consequences. For many vulnerable communities, the challenge is not simply climatic but economic and social. How do we build resilience when essential resources become scarce?

The Living Experiment Society believes part of the answer lies in the principles of Franciscan economics.

Franciscan economics is often described as a fraternal economy: one that places human dignity, relationships and the common good at the centre of economic life. Rather than viewing people primarily as consumers or sources of profit, it asks how economic activity can strengthen communities and ensure that everyone has access to what they need to flourish.

In times of climate disruption, these principles become particularly relevant. As El Niño threatens agricultural production and places pressure on global supply chains, resilience depends less on the efficiency of distant markets and more on the strength of local communities. Transparency, participation, equity and solidarity help create food systems that are responsive to local needs rather than driven solely by financial returns.

The Living Experiment Society seeks to apply these principles through local cooperation and shared responsibility. By encouraging local production, reducing unnecessary consumption and supporting sustainable farming practices, communities become less dependent on fragile global supply networks. This approach cannot prevent droughts, floods or extreme weather, but it can reduce the vulnerability that often turns environmental shocks into social crises.

The Franciscan principle of austerity is particularly important. Properly understood, austerity does not mean deprivation. It means using resources responsibly, consuming only what is necessary, and recognising that our choices affect the wellbeing of others. In practical terms, this encourages lower-input agricultural methods, reduced waste and a more sustainable relationship with the natural world.

Climate-related crises also tend to deepen existing inequalities. Those with the fewest resources often bear the greatest burden when food prices rise or harvests fail. The Living Experiment Society responds by ensuring that those most affected are included in decision-making and that economic systems remain accountable to the communities they serve. The goal is not simply economic efficiency but social justice and human dignity.

As the world faces increasing environmental uncertainty, resilience will depend on more than technology or government intervention alone. It will require stronger communities, deeper cooperation and economic systems built around people rather than profit. The Living Experiment Society offers one practical example of how these values can be put into practice, helping communities become more resilient in an increasingly unpredictable world.