Earth’s temperature has risen by an average of 0.06°C (0.11°F) per decade since 1850, or about 1°C (2°F) in total.

The rate of warming since 1982 is even faster: 0.20°C (0.36°F) per decade.

PM2.5 is particulate matter smaller than 2.5 microns and is the pollutant that causes the largest health impacts globally, contributing to millions of deaths each year. It is linked to COPD, respiratory tract infections and cancer.

PM2.5 is generated mostly by combustion: wildfires, burning fossil fuels, traffic pollution, polluting cooking techniques in the home, making more deprived and aging communities more at risk.

Dust storms fill the air with small dust particles, bacteria, virus, fungi, pollutants and allergens. Winds can carry particulate matter hundreds to thousands of miles and can stay in the air for up to ten days.

Exposure can cause or worsen a number of respiratory illnesses include irritation and coughing, infections, asthma, COPD, and interstitial lung disease. Children, older adults, and those with chronic lung disease are at higher risk of developing symptoms.

With increasing atmospheric CO₂ and other climate-related changes, daily pollen emissions are predicted to increase by up to 200% by 2100.

Climate change is changing nearly everything we know about allergic disease and pollen allergies, increasing the threat to human health.