Welcome to Locally Sourced, a biweekly Covering Climate Now newsletter for journalists working to localize the climate story. Share this newsletter with colleagues and journalism students interested in localizing the climate story.
Story Spark: Allergies
Affecting nearly one in three adults worldwide, allergies may be one of the most widely tangible impacts of our warming world. Climate change’s fingerprint on a worsening allergy season extends beyond just rising year-round temperatures, as increasing CO2 concentrations enhances photosynthesis, allowing plants to produce more pollen for longer periods of time.
Recent research shows that most US cities now see three additional weeks of pollen production compared to 1970 — leading to more sneezing, watery eyes, and, for some, much more serious health problems. Pollen is not the only culprit; mold and other microscopic fungi, which have longer seasons as a result of climate change, can also trigger allergy symptoms.
Coverage of shifting allergy seasons should not diminish the real economic and health impacts resulting from the discomfort of seasonal allergies, which have even been linked to increased suicide risk. Consider highlighting the personal solutions to adapt to this climate problem — switching allergy medicines, washing bedding more frequently, using HEPA air filters, etc. — and be sure to note that, to solve this growing issue for millions of allergy sufferers, global carbon pollution must decrease.
Stories We Like
- In Asheville, N.C., still reeling from the damage from Hurricane Helene in 2024, Grist explores how a hotter, wetter South is becoming a breeding ground for mold — exposing more people to its health impacts.
- In New Zealand and Australia, “thunderstorm asthma” is becoming more common with some events sending thousands to emergency rooms. Noema magazine offers a personal perspective of this “perfect storm” created by climate change.
- The Portland Press Herald makes the climate connection to a worsening allergy season and explains how a new state-wide pollen monitoring network can help Mainers face these growing risks.
- Detroit’s WDIV shares the story of a severe allergy sufferer and explains how regional allergies are becoming worse as a direct result of climate change.
- The Guardian breaks explores how heat, smog, and new invasive species are making seasonal allergies more extreme for longer across Europe.
Resources
- With new data and graphics, Climate Centrals shows how allergy seasons are getting longer in your area.
- Track pollen and mold levels with the National Allergy Bureau’s interactive map.
Experts
- Neelima Tummala, otolaryngologist, NYU Langone Health
- Andrea Nurse, paleoecology research assistant, University of Maine
- Kelly Oten, assistant professor, North Carolina State University
Before We Go…
The next Locally Sourced will highlight tourism. Have you reported on how climate change is reshaping destinations or how tourists can minimize their climate impact? Send them to us at local[at]coveringclimatenow[dot]org. We’d love to consider them for the next edition of Locally Sourced and our media trainings and social platforms.
Want more story ideas? Check out the Locally Sourced archive for more topics to explore, including AI data centers, coastal flooding, air transportation, and more.
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