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[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1164 Introduced in House (IH)]

<DOC>

118th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 1164

 Acknowledging the particular threat climate change poses to a secure 
    and sustainable future for all children and the important stake 
                   children have in a healthy planet.

_______________________________________________________________________

                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             April 20, 2024

Ms. Kamlager-Dove (for herself, Ms. Titus, Mrs. Watson Coleman, and Mr. 
 Evans) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 
   Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on 
Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the 
  Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall 
           within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION

 
 Acknowledging the particular threat climate change poses to a secure 
    and sustainable future for all children and the important stake 
                   children have in a healthy planet.

Whereas nearly half of the world's children live in countries at extremely high 
        risk to at least one extreme weather event per year and will experience 
        more floods, hurricanes, wildfires, and droughts over the course of 
        their lifetimes than previous generations;
Whereas extreme weather events, sea level rise, floods, and prolonged droughts 
        interrupt the education of 40,000,000 children annually, especially 
        girls and children with disabilities;
Whereas 40 percent of the population of Africa and the Pacific Islands are 
        respectively, under ages 14 and 18, and represent countries at extremely 
        high risk for environmental or climate shocks;
Whereas the countries that help vulnerable nations enhance their adaptation and 
        resilience will gain significant influence and goodwill among the public 
        for generations to come;
Whereas 183,000,000 children globally are facing the triple threat of extreme 
        weather events, poverty, and conflict, and climate change can be a 
        ``threat multiplier'', exacerbating existing insecurities, conflicts, 
        and longstanding development challenges, putting children's lives at 
        risk;
Whereas prolonged and frequent droughts means children who traditionally help 
        fetch water are forced to cover longer distances, increasing their 
        exposure to violence, early marriage, and abduction and recruitment by 
        armed groups;
Whereas girls are at heightened risk for forced labor, sex trafficking, child 
        marriage, and other forms of gender-based violence from sudden or slow-
        onset climactic shocks such as prolonged droughts or hurricanes;
Whereas children's developing immune systems are more vulnerable to extreme 
        weather than adults and thus are more likely to experience malnutrition, 
        asthma, dehydration, stunting, and disease from environmental shocks 
        than adults;
Whereas 1,000 children under age 5 die each day from diseases associated with 
        inadequate water, sanitation, and hygiene, especially in areas with 
        water scarcity, cyclones, and floods, and by 2040, 1 in 4 children will 
        be living in areas of extremely high-water stress;
Whereas 350,000,000 to 500,000,000 children live in informal settlements and 
        slums where they are more susceptible to the impacts of flooding, 
        stresses from extreme heat or cold, poor air quality, and overcrowding, 
        and the poorest urban child is twice as likely to die before age 5;
Whereas, in 2020, there were an estimated 9,800,000 new internally displaced 
        children due to weather-related causes;
Whereas changing weather patterns are disrupting stable food production, 
        distribution, and consumption, and pushing more children and families 
        into crisis levels of hunger and food insecurity worldwide;
Whereas investments in resilient agriculture and infrastructure can save $3 to 
        $10 in humanitarian assistance;
Whereas children will be the greatest beneficiaries of and have the greatest 
        stake in global progress toward combating climate change; and
Whereas every child should have the opportunity to grow up on a healthy, 
        thriving planet with a sustainable future: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) recognizes the unique threat that the effects of 
        climate change pose to the futures of children and youth;
            (2) affirms the importance of United States global 
        leadership in preventing the worst effects of climate change 
        and mobilizing international cooperation to support those most 
        vulnerable to climate shocks, including children;
            (3) affirms the significant United States national security 
        and foreign policy interest in addressing climate change and 
        creating opportunities for children and youth globally; and
            (4) affirms that children everywhere deserve to inherit a 
        healthy planet without fear for the future.
                                 <all>
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