Climate Change Exacerbates Allergies, Threatens Water Quality, and Drives Up Costs
Rising temperatures and pollution worsen allergy symptoms, contaminate rural water sources, and increase the economic burden of climate change
Rising temperatures and pollution are making life harder for millions of Americans, from exacerbating allergy symptoms to contaminating rural water sources and driving up the economic costs of climate change
Climate change is contributing to longer and more severe pollen seasons across the Northern Hemisphere, making life miserable for the millions of Americans who suffer from seasonal allergies. Dr. Neelima Tummala, an ear, nose, and throat doctor at NYU Langone Health, said her patients tell her every year that their allergies are the worst they’ve ever been—and they might be right.
What Happened
In addition to worsened allergy symptoms, climate change is also threatening the water quality of rural communities. In Colorado, a drying aquifer is causing wells to run dry, leaving residents with water that is contaminated with heavy metals. Julie Zahringer, an environmental laboratory owner in Alamosa, Colorado, has tested thousands of wells over the past 30 years and has seen a significant decline in water quality.
Why It Matters
The economic costs of climate change are also adding up. A new study found that every dollar spent on prescribed burns and other forest management tactics can save taxpayers $3.73 in smoke, property, and emissions harm. Meanwhile, the Trump administration is trying to kill a carbon tax on global shipping, which could have significant economic and environmental implications.
What Experts Say
"A lot of people have suggested that there could be potential economic benefits to prescribed burns, but it's been a pretty understudied area." — Frederik Strabo, economist with University of California, Davis
Key Facts
- What: Climate change exacerbates allergy symptoms, contaminates rural water sources, and drives up economic costs
- Where: Northern Hemisphere, Colorado, global shipping routes
- Impact: Millions of Americans affected by worsened allergy symptoms, contaminated water sources, and increased economic costs
What Comes Next
As the impacts of climate change continue to mount, it's clear that urgent action is needed to mitigate its effects. From investing in forest management tactics to promoting sustainable shipping practices, there are steps that can be taken to reduce the economic and environmental costs of climate change.