The strong El Niño event of 2015-16 had profound impacts on Pacific ecosystems, bringing heavy rains to California while causing droughts in Southeast Asia. This climatic phenomenon led to record global temperatures and highlighted the interconnectedness of weather patterns. The effects of this El Niño underscored the importance of understanding climate variability and its implications for global environmental and economic stability.

The strong El Niño impacts on Pacific ecosystems in 2015-16 inspired modern poetry addressing climate change. Poets like Ocean Vuong began to weave themes of environmental urgency and indigenous knowledge into their works, reflecting on humanity's relationship with nature.