A comprehensive analysis published in Nature Climate Change this month has confirmed that pollen seasons are growing longer and more intense across the globe, with direct links to climate change. The international study, combining data from 120 monitoring stations over 30 years, found that pollen seasons now start 20 days earlier on average and contain 21% more pollen compared to 1990 levels. The most dramatic increases were observed in northern latitudes, where warming has been most pronounced.
The research team, led by climatologists from the University of Michigan and allergists from the University of Vienna, identified three climate-related factors driving this trend: rising temperatures extending the growing season for plants, increased atmospheric CO2 boosting pollen production, and changing precipitation patterns altering plant distributions. Dr. Markus Weber, co-author of the study, noted that birch and ragweed—two of the most allergenic plants—have shown particularly dramatic increases in pollen output. “We’re seeing some regions where birch pollen counts have doubled since the 1990s. For allergy sufferers, this isn’t just an inconvenience—it’s a serious public health issue,” he warned.
The study also found that urban areas are experiencing worse effects due to the “urban heat island” phenomenon, where cities trap heat and CO2. This has led to paradoxical situations where some cities now have pollen counts 30–50% higher than surrounding rural areas, reversing traditional patterns. The findings have prompted calls for updated allergy management guidelines and better urban planning to reduce allergenic tree planting.
Allergists are reporting corresponding increases in allergy-related asthma attacks and emergency room visits during peak pollen seasons. Some European countries have begun implementing pollen forecasting systems similar to air quality alerts, while researchers work on developing more effective preventative treatments for the growing number of sufferers.
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