— Written by Shayna Berglas

Today, let's talk about something that's been sneaking up on us lately: allergies. You might have noticed more people sniffling and sneezing, and climate change might have something to do with it. Our changing climate isn't just about melting ice caps and rising temperatures. It's also messing with our health in unexpected ways.

Picture this: It's springtime, and the air is filled with the sweet scent of flowers in bloom. It should sound lovely. But if you're one of the millions of people who suffer from pollen allergies, it’s another experience entirely. Thanks to climate change, pollen season is getting longer and more intense. Warmer temperatures mean plants produce more pollen, and it hangs around in the air for longer periods. So, you may find yourself reaching for the tissues more often.

But pollen isn't the only allergen on the rise. Mold, another common culprit, is thriving in our changing climate too. Warmer temperatures and increased humidity create perfect conditions for mold growth, both indoors and outdoors. If you've noticed a musty smell in your basement or bathroom, you might want to check for mold—it could be the reason behind your sniffles and sneezes.

And let's not forget about air pollution. Climate change is making air pollution worse, and that's bad news for allergy sufferers. Pollutants in the air can irritate your respiratory system and make allergy symptoms even worse. It's like a one-two punch to your poor nasal passages.

Now, you might be wondering: what can we do about it? The good news is that there are steps we can take to protect ourselves and our planet, the best of which is advocating for clean energy policies.

What We’re Watching 🎥, Reading 📚, and Listening to 🎧

Searching for more positive and informative climate content? Look no further!

Searching for more positive and informative climate content? Look no further!

• 🎥 Is There Any Good News About Climate Change? | Simon Clark

• 📰 Citizen Science Leads the Charge in Environmental Protection | Stateline

• 🎧Intersectional History of Environmentalism | Intersectional Environmentalist

In Case You Missed It 👀

Third Derivative is looking for the world’s most promising and impactful climate tech startups to join our next accelerator cohort. If accepted, they’ll help you bridge critical finance and resource gaps, and align you with Third Derivative’s network of committed investors, corporate partners, market experts, and mentors. The deadline is March 26th. Apply today! 

The Empire Technology Prize was created to help tackle New York’s biggest climate challenge - buildings - which account for 70% of New York City’s GHG emissions and a third of the State’s. And it’s not just a New York problem. Buildings are the cause of 40% of global GHG emissions. Solving this problem in New York alone is a $10B market, in the US $40B, and so that’s where we’re focusing the $10M Empire Technology Prize – on developing and demonstrating easy-to-install high temperature heat pumps or distribution systems for NY’s existing tall buildings. Apply here.