The nose runs, the eyes itch and water - often already in January: for several years, people with hay fever have experienced firsthand what the changing of the seasons means. Due to climate change now the pollen season in temperate regions starts earlier and lasts longer . Plants like hazel, to which some people with hay fever are allergic, are blooming earlier and earlier. A longer growing season primarily increases the risk of developing an allergic respiratory disease. The effect of climate change on the seasons can not only be observed on hazelnuts, but also on cereals such as corn, wheat and barley, or on fruit trees such as cherries, apples and mangoes. Animals from various groups are also affected, from insects to reptiles to mammals, as well as microorganisms such as plankton: their rhythm of life is increasingly out of balance due to global warming. (Wiebke Pfohl)