  Satellite and ground-based observations are used to explore the composite
oceanic - atmospheric link known as the El Ni\~no/La Ni\~na Southern
Oscillation (ENSO) phenomenon, which is closely associated with extreme weather
events (e.g. heat waves, tornadoes, floods and droughts), incidence of epidemic
diseases (e.g. malaria), severe coral bleaching, etc. The ENSO temporal
evolution depends on the energy exchange between the coupled ocean/atmosphere
system. Its cycle has an average period of about four years, but there is
considerable modulation of it from several sources and this is not yet fully
understood. This paper aims to give a better insight to the global signature of
ENSO evolution considering both the continuous natural interactions taking
place between ocean and atmosphere, and anthropogenic effects. The results
obtained could be employed to elucidate the development of more accurate
advanced modelling of ocean - atmosphere interactions, thereby improving
climate change projections.
