MAINE PUBLIC • March 20, 2024
Climate change is making allergy season longer and more intense across Maine. A recent report from the research and journalism nonprofit Climate Central says the shortened winter season has given pollen-producing plants more time to grow more allergens. The report looked at data for over 200 U.S. cities and measured the days between the first Fall and last Spring freeze each year since 1970. The data for Maine showed the growing season for pollen plants increased by nearly two weeks for Portland and Presque Isle. Dr. Susan Anenberg chairs the Environmental and Occupational Health department at George Washington University, and is an advisor to Climate Central. “We want to break that sequence by mitigating climate change reducing greenhouse gases that are contributing to climate change. And that will slow the impact that humans are having on that allergy season," Anenberg said.