Millions face worse hay fever as European pollen season lengthens
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · May 1
Millions face worse hay fever as European pollen season lengthens
9 articles · Updated · The Guardian · May 1
A Lancet study says Europe’s birch, alder and olive pollen seasons now begin one to two weeks earlier than in the 1990s.
Researchers link the shift to global heating, while separate US studies suggest higher carbon dioxide levels can make some plants release more pollen.
The review says allergic rhinitis already affects tens of millions in Europe, adding to wider climate harms that are also disrupting tourism, snow seasons, wildfire conditions and ecosystems.
As allergies and climate change make nature less accessible, could rewilding cities and ending harmful subsidies help us reconnect with the environment?
With coral reefs and ski resorts vanishing, is the global shift from mass tourism to 'non-tourism' inevitable, or can sustainable travel truly succeed?
Are current conservation efforts and policy reforms enough to reverse biodiversity loss, or do we need to completely rethink our relationship with nature?
Climate Change Fuels 300% Increase in Extreme Heat Warnings and a Surge in Pollen Allergies Across Europe
Overview
Human-caused climate change is driving a sharp rise in health risks across Europe, including 62,000 heat-related deaths in 2024 and an 85% increase in heat mortality among older adults since the early 2000s. It also lengthens pollen seasons by 1-2 weeks and raises pollen concentrations, while spreading highly allergenic ragweed, which is projected to double sensitized populations by mid-century. These changes, combined with worsening air pollution and urban heat islands, fuel a surge in respiratory diseases like asthma, leading to higher healthcare use and significant economic costs. Meanwhile, healthcare itself contributes to emissions, highlighting the urgent need for integrated climate and health actions.