| There is now considerable scientific evidence that | | | | allergies and asthma are affected. |
| global warming is affecting our health. So what can | | | | Higher temperatures also means higher levels of smog |
| you and I do about it? | | | | or ozone from burning fossil fuels, yet another trigger |
| Global warming is already playing havoc with climate, | | | | for more and more severe respiratory problems. Heat |
| causing shorter winters in many regions. That's great | | | | also increases the potency and concentrations of |
| for cutting down heating bills, but for people who suffer | | | | many toxins, which are found in our water, air, and soil. |
| from allergies, earlier springs mean earlier release of | | | | It is not difficult to understand why the incidence of |
| pollen into the air, which means more allergies. One | | | | serious allergies and asthma has gone over the top |
| study has shown that warmer temperatures and | | | | over the last decades. There is mounting evidence that |
| increased carbon dioxide contribute to longer allergy | | | | warmer temperatures, more carbon dioxide, increased |
| seasons and stronger allergies. Weed and agriculture | | | | in pollen production, worsening smog and other effects |
| experts say there is enough evidence of this to | | | | of global warming are largely responsible for the rapid |
| warrant new policies to address the problem. | | | | growth of allergies worldwide over the last twenty |
| Longer Allergy Season | | | | years; the other major factor, of course, being |
| According to The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate | | | | increased exposure to toxins. |
| Change, Spring has been coming 10 to 15 days earlier | | | | The rate and severity of asthma has increased at an |
| over the last 30 years, and this trend is expected to | | | | even faster rate, and an asthma epidemic is already |
| continue. "We can assume that allergic disorders are | | | | occurring among inner-city children. In 2004, the |
| starting earlier because the pollen season starts | | | | Harvard Medical School noted a 160% increase in |
| earlier," says Dr. Bettina Menne of the World Health | | | | asthma among inner-city pre-school children in the U.S |
| Organization. Shorter springs are resulting in a longer | | | | The risks of stronger allergies and asthma in the future |
| allergy season and stronger allergies, with serious | | | | from global warming have already prompted many |
| implications for public health. | | | | researchers and public health officials to urge |
| More Pollen, and It Can Be More Toxic | | | | government action now. |
| A Harvard study showed that weeds can produce | | | | What Can You Do? |
| 61% more pollen when exposed to double the amount | | | | The first step is to reduce your exposure to pollen, |
| of carbon dioxide. This confirms what many scientists | | | | smog, toxins and other irritants that can affect your |
| have already observed, that with increased carbon | | | | allergies or lungs:oStay indoors on high smog or pollen |
| dioxide emissions due to global warming, weeds are | | | | days and shut the windows, or spend the day in |
| growing larger and stronger. This makes them not only | | | | air-conditioned places.oInvest in a good quality HEPA |
| more able to successfully compete with food crops, | | | | filter to remove microscopic particles from the air in |
| but also ups their pollen production. Since pollen | | | | your home.oUse hard flooring instead of carpets, and |
| allergies affect the majority of allergy sufferers, the | | | | wash regularly.oWash rugs and curtain.oIf possible, |
| health effects can be serious. | | | | plant more non-allergenic trees and plants around your |
| One study reported that weeds can become even | | | | house to help filter pollutants from the air.oExercise in |
| more of a problem in cities, where temperatures are | | | | the early morning before pollutants and pollen rise in |
| warmer due to trapped heat, and carbon dioxide is | | | | the heat of the day.oKeep all the filters in your house |
| more concentrated. Research by Dr. Lewis Ziska | | | | clean.oTake high quality essential fatty acids to |
| showed that ragweed, a heavy pollen producer, can | | | | strengthen your airways. |
| grow up to 190% larger in urban areas, and produce | | | | Meanwhile, take steps against global warming:oChoose |
| many times the quantity of pollen produced by rural | | | | energy-efficient appliances.oConvert to solar power |
| weeds. The city pollen was also found to be much | | | | water heating.oTurn off appliances and lights when not |
| more toxic. Other researchers concluded that the | | | | in use.oWhere possible, reduce car travel. Carpool or |
| pollen of plants exposed to higher levels of carbon | | | | walk to public transport.oTake steps to reduce the |
| dioxide are more potent. Pollen-bearing trees and even | | | | level of toxins in your home, as many household |
| hardier weeds also grow larger, stronger and produce | | | | cleaners, glues, varnishes and carpets emit toxic |
| more and more potent pollen when exposed to air | | | | vapours.oLet your local and national governments |
| with the higher concentrations of carbon dioxide found | | | | know you demand action on global warming. |
| in cities. | | | | Sources: |
| Other Ways That Global Warming Increases Allergies | | | | Goudarzi, Sara, 'Allergies Getting Worse Due to Global |
| and Asthma | | | | Warming', Life Science, 22 Nov 2005 |
| Increased temperatures, more intense rainstorms, and | | | | Naik, Gautum, 'Global Warming May Be Spurring |
| worsening floods due to global warming have already | | | | Allergy, Asthma', The Wall Street Journal, 10 May 2007 |
| led to an explosion of molds and fungi in some areas, | | | | Pennybacker, Mindy, 'Global Warming: Ready for Your |
| while prolonged and spreading droughts are | | | | Carbon Close-Up? |
| responsible for high levels of dust in the air. Both | | | | |