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Climate Change and Human Health:- These days, pretty much everyone understands that climate change is causing serious problems for our planet. As global temperatures rise, weather patterns are changing all over the world. Some places are getting hotter while other places are experiencing colder winters. Glaciers and ice sheets are melting, raising sea levels. Severe weather events including heatwaves, droughts, wildfires, and floods are happening more often and getting more intense. These climate changes are clearly harmful for many of Earth’s species, including humans. Some plant and animal species are struggling to survive as their ecosystems change and, if you watch the news, you know that severe weather events can injure and even kill many people. But in addition to these direct effects on human health, scientists are also starting to see increases in asthma and other disorders of the immune system that appear to be linked to the changing climate [1, 2]. But how? The connection is still under intense investigation, but evidence suggests that climate change is increasing the amounts of substances in the environment that trigger asthma in sensitive individuals—especially pollen, air pollution, and mold. Climate Change is Increasing Pollen Pollen, the powdery substance made by some plants to help them reproduce, is a common trigger for asthma and allergies. Not surprisingly, more pollen in the environment often means more (or worse) asthma [3]. Climate change increases pollen in several ways. The first mechanism involves carbon dioxide (CO2). Human activities, like burning fossil fuels, pump large amounts of CO2 into the atmosphere. You have probably heard that CO2 contributes to global warming by trapping the sun’s heat near the Earth, but that is not all—higher levels of CO2 seem to increase the amount of pollen in the air, too. For example, one study showed that ragweed plants produced 61% more pollen when CO2 concentrations were doubled [4]. Warmer temperatures are also associated with higher pollen concentrations. Some scientists think that warming temperatures may increase pollen concentrations by as much as 200% by the end of this century [5]. Thunderstorm asthma may also be explained by pollen. During a storm, the winds sweep pollen up into the clouds, where high humidity and the energy of lightning break up the pollen particles, making them more likely to enter deep into the airways and start the dangerous chain of immune events leading to asthma symptoms [6]. If climate change results in more pollen and more thunderstorms, it seems likely that we will see an increase in thunderstorm asthma if climate change worsens More Wet Weather Means More Mold Have you ever seen green or black fuzzy stuff growing on old bread or damp walls? That is mold! Mold loves warm, wet places. Climate change is making some parts of the world warmer and rainier, creating perfect conditions for mold growth. As mold grows, it releases tiny particles, called sporesTiny cells produced by some plants, fungi, and microorganisms that can survive under very tough conditions and then grow into a new organism when conditions are favorable., into the air. Warmer temperatures can increase spore production. Airborne mold spores can be easily inhaled, triggering asthma in some people. While mold growing in the outdoor environment can cause asthma, indoor mold is a big problem, too. If buildings are not properly protected from wet weather, mold can grow in any areas that stay damp. Since climate change is leading to increased flooding and extreme rainfall, mold growth may increase in homes that are not well protected against the weather. It is estimated that 21% of asthma cases are due to indoor dampness and mold [8]. Floods and storms can increase fungal spores, which are associated with thunderstorm asthma.
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