Chicago, Climate Change And Weather: Your Questions Answered

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has some bad news: Climate change could lead to greater concentrations of pollen. And research published this year suggests it’s already happening in North America.

Dr. Juanita Mora, from the Chicago Allergy Center, said there are two reasons for that. First, more carbon dioxide in the atmosphere leads to increased plant growth and pollen production. Second, rising temperatures cause the seasons for tree, grass, and weed pollen to lengthen and overlap.

The result? “We’re seeing symptoms definitely that are a lot harder, and hitting people who normally don’t have any symptoms,” Mora said. She’s getting patients with more severe nasal congestion, post-nasal drip and more.

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