Reflection

Reflection

The changing climate results in an increase of carbon dioxide, which in turn, encourages the growth of plants with airborne allergens or aeroallergens. Once these aeroallergens are released into the air, they can spread everywhere from our homes to our schools. In addition to increasing growth of plants, there’s higher concentrations of pollen and extended seasons of pollen exposure. This poses a serious harm to our respiratory and cardiovascular systems, limiting our productivity each day. After reading this from the global change website, I was immediately reminded of various times where I had raging allergens during school, which prevented me from focusing. It was as if the pollen was suffocating me, I couldn’t breathe properly and there was always an itching feeling in my nose and throat. My eyes watered so much where I could barely see, and it felt as if there was a layer of allergens covering my face. My painting showcases how I felt in a literal way. The plants and flowers overwhelmed me to the point where I couldn’t concentrate on anything but the plaguing allergens. This is a mutual experience shared among many people I know, but despite the problem it causes, I was unaware of its relation to climate change. My piece not only intends to convey the uncomfortable feeling of aeroallergens, but also bring awareness to how even the little things that bother us in life can be attributed to climate change. It shows how climate change is evidently impacting our lives, whether we notice it or not.