Inspirational talks
We had the pleasure of listening to a series of charismatic and engaging speakers. Among them was Professor Tari Haahtela from Finland, who is well-known in the Nordics for the “Biodiversity Hypothesis”1 and perfectly suited for the new EAACI lecture format of “Inspirational Talks.” In strong examples, he and others underlined our ultimate reliance on a healthy and biodiverse environment, fresh air to breathe in- and outdoors, frequent contact with nature and access to whole foods.
Urgency of action
At the same time, it is evident that our time is running out, and actions are urgently required. While climate change is in the mind of people and communities, it is striking to hear that the connection of climate change to health is not made in the discussion or the steering directives such as COP10 and COP11.
Global processes accompanying climate change are impacting human health:
| Species are spreading to new areas | On the wave of global warming, new geographical regions see mosquitos carrying infectious parasites, or plants that some people become allergic towards. |
| Allergenicity | Pollen seasons become longer, pollen grains more allergenic under the influence of air pollution. Particulate matter (PM) and pollen grains aggregate and mutually amplify immune reactions. Also ozone is playing in here, too. |
| Air borne particles travel far | Sand from the Sahara can travel across the Atlantic ocean as well as to Scandinavia. The sky over France was colored red from smoke coming from Canadian wildfires (in June 2025). |
A new world to live in – not only for humans
Not only the human body, but the organisms living with(in) us, our microbiota, is affected by environmental changes. Our modern diet, often low in dietary fibre and nutrition, but high in preservatives and other chemical substances, is putting selective pressure on bacteria and protozoans.
It is no longer possible to avoid irreversible environmental consequences for our ecosystem as the world already has passed the mark of 1.5 degrees rise in average temperature in 2024. The worst-case scenario in climate models estimates a rise of 4 degrees by 2100, suggesting that today´s infants are likely to experience the full consequences of our (lack of) actions today.
Socioeconomic disparities
These consequences will not be distributed evenly on the shoulders of mankind. While the main producers of greenhouse gases are in the Northern hemisphere, the consequences will hit people living on the Southern hemisphere much more severely.
Also in Western societies, vulnerable populations will be affected disproportionally. Doctor A. J. Burbank from the US reviewed data on how “red-lining” of areas in US American cities after the recession in 1930 sent people living in these areas on a path to poverty and bad health2. No loans would be given to these people, plants and fabrics were build in their neighbourhoods, big roads and train tracks would cause air and noise pollution. A century after «redlining,» Afro-Americans are six times more likely to seek emergency care for asthma attacks and 30 times more likely to experience fatal outcomes compared to White Americans. This disparity is largely due to the living conditions in «redlined» areas, where many Afro-Americans and Latin Americans are living, rather than genetic differences. 3
Consequences of war
On top of climate change, war and migration is adding insult to injury. Everyone is aware of the ongoing wars and conflicts in today’s world, but understanding the full magnitude of the environmental impact is something else. The audience was shook by numbers given in a presentation by J Jaakkola from Oulu, Finland, who gave examples from the war in Ukraine. Indirect increase of emissions of greenhouse gases due to war come from reconstructions, refugees, energy infrastructure, landscape fires and increase in civilian aviation. However, emissions directly caused by warfare are drastically increasing while the conflict continues. Of the estimated 175 million tons CO2 in growth in emissions during the first two years of war, over a third (50 million tons of CO2) are directly related to warfare. The increase in emissions from the Ukraine war alone is in the same magnitude as the emissions caused by the whole country of Belgium, according to cited data by climate researcher Lennard de Klerk, read more on The war in Ukraine is fuelling the climate crisis.
Civilians in war
Since 1989, wars and conflicts has caused the death of over 350 000 soldiers. The casualties amongst civilians are tenfold: 3.5 million civilians have been killed in acts of war, exposure to chemicals and oil spills, disrupted healthcare and food supply infrastructure. A woman from the audience shared her experience: “I am from Ukraine, and I can confirm that everything you say is true – these are the consequences of war we see everyday.” On a personal note, this was the first time listening to a presentation caused me a stomach ache and lingering feeling of anxiety: Something must be done.
Call for action: big and small
The to-do list could be made long, but I will focus on points that were discussed during the congress. First of all: We can start with ourselves, each and everyone.
Small steps for personal health
- Indoor gardening, such as a pot with herbs in the kitchen, has positive effects on physical and mental health! 4
- Eat healthy and in moderation.
- Feed your gut bacteria, with fibres and other pre- and probiotic foods. There is data coming through indicating that the gut microbiota can be specifically modulated, certain foods will benefit certain species of bacteria. 5
- Eat newly harvested crops and buy local produce- long transportations/storage times have shown to increase the allergenicity of apples.6
- Hug your friends and colleagues and exchange some skin microbiota! Fun fact: it is estimated that 80.000.000 bacteria are exchanged between two people kissing for 10 seconds.
Actions on a bigger scale:
- There is no way around: War needs to stop!!!
- Climate goals must be societal goals.
- Patient organisations will stress the consequences of climate change on health.
- Health care professionals can be advocates and amplifiers of health and a healthy environment. Claudia Traidl-Hoffmann from Germany projected a picture from the 1950´s showing health care professionals selling cigarettes to a patient laying in his hospital bed- a quick show of hands with the care givers in the audience confirmed that this is a practice no one follows today.
- Companies and organizations (i.e. the group of individuals that comprise the work force of a company) have the power to make a change and to limit their own carbon footprint.
Barbara Fuchs
Medical Lead, Chiesi Nordic
References
- Haahtela T. A biodiversity hypothesis. Allergy. 2019 Aug;74(8):1445-56. PMID:30835837
- Schuyler AJ, Wenzel SE. Historical Redlining Impacts Contemporary Environmental and Asthma-related Outcomes in Black Adults. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2022 Oct 1;206(7):824-837. doi: 10.1164/rccm.202112-2707OC. PMID: 35612914; PMCID: PMC9799280.
- Grant T, Croce E, Matsui EC. Asthma and the social determinants of health. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2022 Jan;128(1):5-11. doi: 10.1016/j.anai.2021.10.002. Epub 2021 Oct 19. PMID: 34673220; PMCID: PMC8671352.
- Paniccià M, Acito M, Grappasonni I. How outdoor and indoor green spaces affect human health: a literature review. Ann Ig. 2025 May-Jun;37(3):333-349. doi: 10.7416/ai.2024.2654. Epub 2024 Oct 3. PMID: 39370878
- Sasaki M, Suaini NHA, Afghani J, Heye KN, O’Mahony L, Venter C, Lauener R, Frei R, Roduit C. Systematic review of the association between short-chain fatty acids and allergic diseases. Allergy. 2024 Jul;79(7):1789-1811. doi: 10.1111/all.16065. Epub 2024 Feb 23. PMID: 38391245.)
- Siekierzynska et al., Apple allergy: Causes and factors influencing allergenic properties- Review. Clin Transl Allergy. 2021 Jun 2;11(4):e12032. PMID: 34123364
ID 15720-09.07.2025