Imagine waking up in the morning and hearing the news: reservoirs are drying up, rice fields are failing to harvest, rice prices are rising again, and forest fires are appearing in many regions. It sounds like a scene from a disaster movie. But this is not a movie.

Indonesia is currently facing the threat of Godzilla El Niño — an extreme climate phenomenon predicted to bring severe drought to many parts of Indonesia throughout 2026.
And the impacts could be felt directly at our dining tables.

So, what exactly is Godzilla El Niño, and why is it called “Godzilla”?

It is an extremely dangerous phenomenon that could lead to food shortages due to widespread extreme drought. This situation signals that the global climate system is becoming increasingly unstable and unpredictable. In addition to food scarcity, El Niño can also trigger forest fires, especially in peatland areas (Ullum et al., 2024).

The term “Godzilla” is used to describe a phenomenon that is far stronger and larger than usual. It was popularized by NASA scientists in 2015, inspired by the fictional movie monster Godzilla. The impacts are far from trivial, as cloud formations shift toward the Pacific Ocean, causing prolonged dry seasons and little to no rainfall in Indonesia.

And the problem is not only about hotter weather.

When the Climate Crisis Starts Affecting Our Food

As a tropical country that heavily depends on seasonal rainfall patterns, Indonesia is highly vulnerable to El Niño. When rainfall decreases, groundwater reserves decline. Rivers and reservoirs shrink. Planting seasons are disrupted. The risk of crop failure increases. Forest and land fires also become easier to occur, especially in peatland regions.

This means the biggest threat is not just drought — but a food crisis.

Rice, vegetables, and many other food ingredients may be affected due to disrupted production and distribution. WALHI even stated that this condition could potentially trigger clean water crises, crop failures, and food shortages in many regions.

If we continue depending on food systems that are not resilient to climate crises, Godzilla El Niño becomes a warning sign that our consumption patterns need to become more adaptive and sustainable.

Meatless Monday and Our Responsibility as Consumers

In the midst of these conditions, adapting our eating habits becomes increasingly important.

Meatless Monday is becoming more relevant because this movement is not merely about reducing meat consumption one day a week. It also encourages people to reconnect with Indonesia’s rich diversity of local plant-based foods, which have long been part of traditional Indonesian food culture.

Indonesia has many nutritious, affordable, and environmentally friendly plant-based food sources such as tempeh, tofu, moringa leaves, mung beans, peanuts, various local vegetables, and traditional fermented foods.

Unfortunately, many of these local foods are slowly being pushed aside by modern consumption patterns that rely more on processed products and excessive meat consumption.

In fact, amid the threat of extreme drought, local plant-based foods could become an important part of a more resilient food system.

Reducing Meat Does Not Mean Reducing Nutrition

Prolonged drought also significantly affects animal-based food production because livestock farming requires enormous amounts of resources, especially water. For example, producing 1 kilogram of beef requires around 15,400 liters of water. During a Godzilla El Niño event, water availability can drastically decrease, with rainfall dropping by 50–90% below normal conditions.

As a result, meat production may become increasingly pressured. Therefore, reducing meat consumption — even for just one day a week — can be a simple step with meaningful impact. Besides helping reduce environmental pressure, a balanced plant-based diet can also support overall health.

Water-rich and nutrient-dense fruits and vegetables such as cucumbers, spinach, water spinach, mustard greens, oranges, and melons are also important to consume during extreme heat to help maintain hydration and strengthen the immune system.

Godzilla El Niño may not be something we can stop alone. But how we respond to it can still make a significant difference.

What we eat today is no longer only about taste — it is also about how we protect our health, the environment, and future food security.

Starting from reducing meat consumption, trying more local foods, and increasing plant-based meals — all of these small actions are forms of adaptation to the climate crisis happening around us.

Because in an increasingly uncertain climate, perhaps what we truly need is not only larger food supplies, but also wiser, healthier, and more sustainable ways of consuming food.