Hi r/climate, this is Emma from The Guardian. We wanted to share this story that we published today on a new study finding that climate breakdown has extended the pollen season in the UK and mainland Europe by between one and two weeks since the 1990s
Since the last version of the report in 2024, the researchers found the seasonal severity of birch and alder has increased by 15-20% in the south of the UK, northern France and Germany, and in eastern Europe.
Separate research has highlighted the danger of invasive species such as common ragweed. Its pollen is projected to become a common health problem across Europe as it expands into areas in which it is currently rare.
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Hi r/climate, this is Emma from The Guardian. We wanted to share this story that we published today on a new study finding that climate breakdown has extended the pollen season in the UK and mainland Europe by between one and two weeks since the 1990s
*From our story:*
Warm weather and high concentrations of carbon dioxide let plants pump out more pollen, triggering allergic reactions in people with hay fever and leading to symptoms that range from [mildly irritating to life-threatening](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/apr/14/it-looks-like-ive-gone-10-rounds-with-a-boxer-when-hay-fever-becomes-debilitating-and-potentially-deadly-aoe).
The latest review of climate-health impacts in Europe, published in the [Lancet medical journal,](https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS2468-2667(26)00025-3/fulltext) found the pollen seasons for birch, alder and olive trees began between one and two weeks earlier in 2015-24 than in 1991-2000.
Since the last version of the report in 2024, the researchers found the seasonal severity of birch and alder has increased by 15-20% in the south of the UK, northern France and Germany, and in eastern Europe.
Separate research has highlighted the danger of invasive species such as common ragweed. Its pollen is projected to become a common health problem across Europe as it expands into areas in which it is currently rare.
[You can read the full story for free at this link.](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/apr/22/pollen-season-in-uk-and-mainland-europe-extended-by-climate-breakdown?referring_host=Reddit&utm_campaign=guardianacct)
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