Global warming has been debated in the media for decades as scientists and government officials try to get a handle on its true effects on the Earth.
In general, global warming is the effect of pollutants, namely carbon dioxide, on the atmosphere.
As these gases accumulate, the entire planet grows warmer each year.
Although a gradual process, global warming has significant implications for people with respiratory issues, such as seasonal allergies and asthma.
Understanding Plants and Pollen Production
Pollen is the main mechanism for plant reproduction, making it a crucial activity for all life on Earth.
Winter brings cold weather, halting plant growth and pollen production.
Insects are almost nonexistent in cold temperatures, reducing a plant’s chances at cross-pollinating with another of their species.
There’s no point to pollen production during the winter so plants wait until spring, summer and even fall to create it.
However, global warming reduces the colder period lengths, allowing more pollen to spread over a longer span of time.
Scientists believe pollen could triple in the air alone within the next 100 years.
Ozone’s Effects
As early as the 1980s, scientists were talking about the ozone hole. Above the poles, a gaping hole was being formed from lack of ozone.
The planet uses ozone to regulate temperatures, but its depletion also affects plants. Ozone typically controls plant growth because of its chemical makeup.
With less ozone in the atmosphere, plants have another positive growth factor to create even more pollen than ever before.
They don’t have a natural check in growth so plants continually find areas to spread and reproduce.
Global warming is one of the results of ozone depletion, making all these unusual natural wonders react differently than in year’s past.
Warmth Equals Growth
As global warming continues to increase temperatures, asthma and allergy sufferers will probably look to the comfort of indoors.
Air conditioning and the best air purifier make respiratory symptoms easier to handle, but the pollen continues to spread with warming outdoor temperatures.
As warmer weather lasts longer, plants react to the extra time. They may produce more pollen, allowing it to create seeds for germination.
Those seeds could grow faster with the extended warmth, producing even more plants.
The extra plants create even more pollen. Essentially, the planet has an ever-increasing plant population with exponential pollen effects.
Carbon Dioxide’s Influence
A major part of global warming is the increase in carbon dioxide compared to other gases in the atmosphere.
Cities and vehicles contribute carbon dioxide to the air each day with industrial fumes. Where humans rely on oxygen, plants thrive on carbon dioxide for their survival.
As more carbon dioxide is available, plants can photosynthesize more efficiently. Leaves grow larger and pollen counts increase as plants literally have perfect growing conditions.
Asthma and allergy sufferers will notice a difference in respiratory issues as increased carbon dioxide and high pollen counts continue, making each day a little more difficult on the lungs.
Both asthma and allergy sufferers could try the best air purifier on the market, but it won’t combat the pollen in the air once people venture outside.
With new policies on pollutants being implemented each year, hopefully global warming can be slowed to improve life for every being on Earth.
Tripling the amount of pollen in the air is a frightening scenario that requires serious scientific study.
