Extreme weather, wildfires and coastal flooding are some of the visible impacts of climate change happening today. But did you know that climate change can also affect your allergies and allergic asthma?

Warmer seasonal temperatures and more frost-free days are causing longer and more intense pollen seasons. Since 1995, the U.S. pollen season has increased from 11 days to 27 days. That’s more than two weeks of additional allergy symptoms, like nasal congestion and itchy eyes. Regional climates are changing too, bringing pollen producing plants into new areas where they may not have been present before.

The severity of pollen seasons is also getting worse due to climate change. Increased rainfall and CO₂ concentration in the atmosphere increases pollen levels. So not only is climate change causing longer pollen seasons, it is also contributing to higher pollen counts during that season.

Climate change is widely considered the greatest threat to public health in the 21^st century, and it is affecting our health now. Join us in advocating for decisive climate action to protect human health and contact us at advocacy@aafa.org to share how climate change is impacting you.