Rep. Barbara Lee Announces Introduction of Women And Climate Change Act

Yesterday, Congresswoman Barbara Lee introduced the Women and Climate Change Act of 2018, H.R. 4932, to develop coordinated strategies to mitigate the impact of climate change on women and girls around the world. The bill has nineteen original cosponsors.

"Climate change is already impacting communities around the world, with a disproportionate effect on the world's poorest residents. Women make up the majority of the world's poor and are especially vulnerable to abrupt changes in the environment. As leaders in their families, women are called upon to find food and clean water, secure safe housing, and care for loved ones," said Congresswoman Barbara Lee. "As climate change worsens, provoking historic droughts, rising sea levels and violent storms, women and girls will bear the brunt of this global crisis. My legislation, the Women and Climate Change Act, encourages approaches to climate change mitigation that uplift, include and empower women."

Climate change is already worsening public health epidemics, forcing migration and refugee crises, and destabilizing communities. The Paris Agreement recognized this urgent crisis and became the first universal climate change agreement to recognize gender equality is a key component of climate change mitigation.

"While women play an integral role in their families and communities, all too often they are excluded from key policy decisions," added Congresswoman Lee. "If we want to effectively alleviate climate change and develop sustainability initiatives, we need women leaders at the table. My legislation takes an intersectional approach to the climate crisis and affirms the role of women in the effort to save our planet."

The bill was endorsed by the Sierra Club and Planned Parenthood. The full text of the legislation is available here.