Climate change is an issue that has been in the spotlight for several years now, and has been continuously affecting the world’s weather patterns. However, what is not as well-known is how it affects a certain demographic of people–specifically, women.

It is easy to dismiss this problem as one that will not affect us in our lifetime, but this a real issue that is wreaking drastic effects on many people, especially women in underdeveloped or developing countries. We should take more concrete progress on the solution for global warming, since people’s’ lives are on the line. We should create sanctuaries and provide more relief for the multitudes of women who are being displaced because of this issue.

According to a 2018 United Nations article, 80 percent of people who are affected by global warming are women. Roles as primary caregivers and providers of food and fuel make them more vulnerable when flooding and drought occur.

This is not just a problem for women in developing countries. Globally, women are more likely to experience poverty, and to have less socioeconomic power than men. This makes it more difficult for them to recover from disasters that affect infrastructure, jobs and housing.

According to a 2018 BBC article, after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, African American women were among the worst affected by flooding in Louisiana. As sea levels rise, low-lying cities like New Orleans will be increasingly at risk–thus adding onto the harm to women already caused by the hurricane.

This issue is detrimental to life as we know it, however, the USA has not taken enough action to remedy this. The government should stop ignoring this problem and put in the necessary funds and support to try to improve our state. We are a big country and should cover up our carbon footprint and do our part to improve the environment.

According to the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions, the United States is the world’s largest emitter of greenhouse gases, accounting for roughly 25 percent of global emissions.

CHS is fortunately a school that is in an affluent neighborhood that is less affected by global warming. Students should utilize their privilege to help those who are not as well off, especially women in poverty.

This is an issue that affects all humans, but especially women, who make up about half of the world population. Women are already at a social, economic, political and professional disadvantage when it comes to everyday life, so we must take action to try to help them in these difficult times. Global warming has proved to be not only an environmental issue, but also a gender-related one, and something must be done.