Don't blow it: Allergies & global warming
Mon, Apr 06 2009 at 2:31 PM EST
Image: NASONEX As I sit here dying from a ferocious onslaught of springtime allergens, I have to wonder if increasing global temperatures can be linked to increased allergies.
Well, according to the nonprofit organization American Forests the answer is yes:
Studies suggest that higher levels of carbon dioxide and warmer temperatures may increase pollen production, making allergies worse. Tree planting is one of the best ways to reduce the amount of CO2 in the air.
In honor of Earth Day (and spring allergy season) American Forests has partnered with NASONEX, an allergy drug. They developed a cute little game featuring the character Ronnie Nose who collects points by avoiding the allergens. For every person who plays, NASONEX will pay to have a hypo-allergenic tree planted for you through the A.F. Global ReLeaf program. Their goal is to plant 20,000 trees this season, each of which will do its part to reduce global warming by sequestering about 50 lbs CO2 per year.
Apparently there is a scale called OPALS (the Orgen Plant-Allergies Scale) which rates every plant on a 1-10 allergic scale (based on each plant's pollen count and potency level). American Forests will only be planting trees with a rating of 5 or less.
You can play the game on the Dont Blow It website.
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