The analysis shows that 68% of studies found that women were more affected by health impacts associated with climate change than men. Women were more likely to die in heatwaves and tropical cyclones, suffer from respiratory illness after wildfires and face food insecurity after droughts and floods; they also experienced elevated levels of post-traumatic stress disorders and an increase in violence following Hurricane Katrina.

The Women and Climate Change Act of 2021 (H.R. 260) aims to diminish the impact of climate change on women and girls around the world. 

Specifically, the bill establishes the Federal Interagency Working Group on Women and Climate Change within the Department of State. The bill outlines the functions of the working group, including the coordination of agencies' policies and activities relating to combating the effects of climate change on women and improving the government's response to and strategy for addressing climate change. In addition, the Office of Global Women's Issues of the State Department must submit a strategy to prevent and respond to the effects of climate change on women.

“As we face a global pandemic and economic crisis, it is more important than ever that Congress renews its commitment to fighting climate change and ensuring the economic security and health of vulnerable communities around the world,” said the bill’s sponsor, Representative Barbara Lee (D-CA).

Rep. Lee reintroduced H.R. 260 in the House of Representatives in February. The Zonta USA Caucus is committed to building bipartisan support for the bill. Please help us by using our pre-drafted letter to urge your representative to co-sponsor and support the Women and Climate Change Act of 2021. If they have already sponsored or co-sponsored the bill, you can send a message of thanks.