El Niño is one of the world’s most closely monitored climate phenomena. Yet knowing that it is coming does not necessarily mean that households, communities or institutions are equally able to prepare for it. 

This Colombia–South Africa dialogue focuses on the gap between climate information and the real capacity to act. Rather than concentrating only on forecasting or impacts, the conversation will explore how scientific information becomes useful in everyday decisions, what limits people’s ability to respond, and how local and spatial knowledge can complement climate science in identifying risks and adaptation strategies.