Urban Trees, Pollen, and Botanical Sexism

Urban Allergies: The Unseen Factors Making Cities Sneeze

Why are allergies getting worse in cities? This podcast explores the complex factors behind rising urban allergies. We examine how air pollution interacts with pollen, making it more allergenic and trapping it near ground level. We also investigate the theory of “botanical sexism”, which argues that historically prioritizing male trees in urban planning has led to higher pollen counts because male trees produce pollen while female trees can help capture it. Discover how these factors, combined with a changing climate, contribute to intense allergy seasons and what steps are being considered, like diversifying urban forests and choosing allergy-friendly plants, to make cities healthier places to live.