In 1997, the exceptionally strong El Niño phenomenon caused widespread disasters across the globe, including massive floods in South America and droughts and fires in Southeast Asia. This climatic event highlighted the interconnectedness of global weather patterns and the vulnerability of various regions to climate change. The repercussions of the 1997-98 El Niño underscored the need for international cooperation in addressing environmental challenges.

The 1997-98 Super El Niño caused widespread disasters, fueling late 20th-century eco-poetry. Poets began to address narratives of planetary crisis and environmental activism, reflecting the urgent need for awareness and action in the face of climate change, as seen in the works of poets like Gary Snyder, who emphasized the interconnectedness of nature and humanity.