Climate change is making season allergies worse, according to the Union of Concerned Scientists.
Chief of the Division Allergy, Immunology & Rheumatology at UBMD Internal Medicine Dr. Stanley Schwartz explained how this is directly impacting Western New York.
“Plants are changing. They’re changing their blooming habits, we’re seeing longer periods of time when we have green plants growing, even in a northern climate like this,” he said.
Carbon dioxide increases a plant’s growth rate, that in turn increases the amount and potency of pollen. Rising temperatures caused by carbon dioxide extend the plant-growing season and the duration of allergy season. “One of the consequences of allergies, especially airborne allergies, is asthma. And we’re seeing increased asthma, more serious asthma,” said Dr. Schwartz.
