New pollen monitors to contribute to climate adaptation efforts – German weather service

Germany’s meteorological service DWD has begun work to deploy over a dozen monitors to track pollen hotspots, calling it an "early contribution to adaptation to the consequences of global warming." By 2027, it plans to have 16 devices set up which can provide people suffering from pollen allergies information in real time. “This will benefit millions of allergy sufferers in Germany,” DWD wrote.

Around 15 percent of the population in the country suffers from hay fever, with the trend rising, according to Christina Koppe, who leads the climate and environmental advice department at DWD. With up-to-date information on pollen dispersion, as well as pollen forecasts, the affected population can adjust their allergy medication and plan activities to reduce their exposure to pollen.

During particularly pollen intense periods, the monitors would transmit hourly data on eight of the most relevant pollen in Germany – including hazel, ash and birch – supplemented by 26 other pollen types. Otherwise, information would be shared four times a day during the pollen season – historically March through to September – and at least once a day outside of it.

Pollination is crucial for plant reproduction, but can trigger allergic respiratory diseases in humans. Scientists expect pollen exposure to increase and pollen-free periods to become shorter in future as climate change progresses. With milder winters becoming the norm, the pollen season in Germany can start as early as December.

DWD’s air hygiene expert Stefan Gilge estimates that pollen allergies cost the German economy around four billion euros per year, as the performance of allergic people can be affected. The meteorological service hopes improved pollen forecasts can reduce this impact.