McClellan Introduces Resolution Highlighting Extreme Weather Risks to Children

Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan (VA-04) led 28 of her colleagues to introduce a resolution recognizing the threat of extreme weather to children’s health and well-being. The resolution expresses the sense of Congress that solutions must be rapidly and equity deployed to address the unique vulnerabilities and needs of children. The resolution also describes adaptive measures needed, such as language-accessible public alerts, education for health care professionals, educators, and childcare providers, improved air filtration systems, and expanded access to child-friendly green space and cooling centers. 

“Climate change exacerbates extreme weather events, causing them to increase in severity and frequency. As a mother to two young children, I will continue fighting to address climate change and ensure a healthy, livable planet for future generations,” said Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan. “Babies, children, and adolescents face particular vulnerabilities to adverse health impacts caused by extreme weather. My resolution acknowledges these dangers and resolves to implement tailored solutions to protect the next generation. I thank all of the endorsing organizations for their support, and I look forward to our continued collaboration to protect the physical, psychological, and emotional well-being of our children.” 

Later this morning, McClellan will join Moms Clean Air Force and Senator Jeff Merkley for an event in support of climate- and environment-forward policies that prioritize the next generation. 

McClellan’s resolution is endorsed by Moms Clean Air Force, Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments, American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Heart Association, American Lung Association, American Medical Informatics Association, American Public Health Association, Association of Public Health Nurses, Children’s Environmental Health Network, Climate Mental Health Network, Climate Psychiatry Alliance, Climate Psychology Alliance, ecoAmerica, Endocrine Society, Environmental Defense Fund Action, First Focus on Children, Interfaith Power & Light, Medical Students for a Sustainable Future, Mothers Out Front, National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners, National League for Nursing, OneGreenThing, Physicians for Social Responsibility, Schools for Climate Action, Sierra Club, Society of Behavioral Medicine, Trust for America’s Health, Virginia Clinicians for Climate Action, and ZERO TO THREE.

“Climate disruption is here and extreme weather events are only going to become more frequent —and more dangerous. We are indebted to Representative McClellan for her leadership in protecting our children. We must consider children's unique vulnerabilities as we create and fund adaptations to extreme weather. Moms Clean Air Force will continue our fight against climate and air pollution. But now we must also adapt to the damage done.” – Dominique Browning, Founder, Moms Clean Air Force

“Nurses witness first-hand the negative health impacts that infants and children disproportionately face from exposures to environmental factors such as extreme heat, air pollution,wildfires, floods, and other climate-related extreme weather events. The Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments fully supports legislation to expand funding and the rapid deployment of adaptation measures and protections for children from extreme weather conditions. These health safeguards will help to ensure that infants, children, and youth are given the best opportunities to stay safe and healthy during the extreme weather events that are becoming more common throughout the US.” – Katie Huffling, DNP, RN, CNM, FAAN, Executive Director, Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments

“The American Association of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) commends Representative McClelland for her leadership in the fight against the impacts of the climate crisis. Changes in weather and their repercussions threaten our children's ability to play, grow, and thrive together, which is essential for their emotional well-being especially while our nation grapples with a youth mental health crisis.” – Tami Benton, MD, President, American Association of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry

“Extreme heat, and the increases in air pollution it creates, are wreaking havoc on lung health across the country. Unusually high temperatures are not so unusual anymore. Recognizing the threat that extreme heat has on health and health inequities is the first step toward finding solutions. We thank Congresswoman McClellan for offering a resolution that identifies adaptation solutions to the health and equity challenges created by extreme heat and pollution.” – Harold Wimmer, President and CEO, American Lung Association

“We need to address and support the emotional impacts of extreme weather due to climate change on young people to ensure that they are able to thrive in a rapidly warming world. This resolution is a critical step in recognizing the undue burden young people face and the need for urgent action.” – Sarah Newman, Executive Director, Climate Mental Health Network

“We are reminded time and again that children are not just little adults but rather developing humans who are far more sensitive to temperature, air quality, and trauma, often with lifelong implications. This resolution recognizes the momentous opportunity to properly care for childrens' wellbeing while advancing an equitable future in which all can thrive.” – Meighen Speiser, Executive Director, ecoAmerica

“Parents want their children to have healthy, happy lives. But extreme weather fueled by climate change can disrupt childhoods through sweltering heat, alarming flooding and homes and schools without power. We need to address the unique needs of children through greater protections and sensible adaptation strategies, and that's what Rep. McClellan and the cosponsors of today's resolution are doing. We're grateful.” – Joanna Slaney, Associate Vice President for Political Affairs, Environmental Defense Fund

“The Interfaith Power & Light network is made up of a diverse range of faith traditions and practices. There are many ways in which those traditions differ, but one similarity they share is the call to care for all children. The threats of extreme heat and air pollution linked to the climate crisis are disproportionately harming our children, and as people of faith and conscience, we are called to act. This resolution by Representative McClellan recognizes the unique vulnerability of children to poor air quality and extreme weather, and offers positive solutions to protect and support some of the most vulnerable in our society; children. Interfaith Power & Light applauds this effort to move us toward a safer, cleaner environment for all children.” – Tiffany Hartung, Chief Strategy Officer, Interfaith Power & Light

“The impacts of extreme weather pose an immediate threat to the health and well-being of the most vulnerable in our communities. Mothers Out Front urgently calls on Congress to unite with Rep. McClellan in recognizing the immediate need for equitable policies and funding to safeguard their quality of life, ensuring better outcomes and a safer future for generations to come.” – Melissa Thomas, Senior Organizer, Mothers Out Front

“Extreme weather affects us all, though children are particularly vulnerable. They are simultaneously the least responsible for the impacts of climate change and will experience the worst effects as extreme weather continues to intensify over their lifetimes. Physicians for Social Responsibility is proud to endorse this resolution that recognizes and seeks to prioritize this significant threat to children’s health and wellbeing. With extreme weather events increasing in frequency, we must prioritize solutions that protect our most vulnerable.” – Paige Knappenberger, Director of Environment & Health, Physicians for Social Responsibility

“The climate crisis isn't a problem for future generations to solve; it's here now. Children are uniquely vulnerable to increasingly frequent and intense extreme weather events, and we must do everything possible to protect them. We applaud Rep. McClellan for her leadership in pushing for the rapid and equitable deployment of solutions to protect children's health and wellbeing from the worsening climate crisis.” – Mahyar Sorour, Director, Sierra Club Beyond Fossil Fuels Policy

“Clinicians in Virginia are increasingly caring for children affected by weather extremes. Children in our care are experiencing more extreme heat, intensified storms and floods, and shifting ecosystems. These changes present fundamental risks to healthy child growth and development. The unique needs of children must be prioritized in adaptation plans to ensure they are protected in our changing world.” – Samantha Ahdoot, MD, FAAP, Chair, Virginia Clinicians for Climate Action

“Our climate crisis is worsening pregnancy outcomes, food insecurity, physical and mental health problems, and developmental delays in young children. Our nation must do everything in its power to secure a healthier, safer tomorrow for babies and toddlers whose future on this planet will be shaped by our choices today. Thank you, Rep. McClellan for raising your voice in support of those policies that would combat the climate crisis that threatens the well-being of our infants and toddlers.” – Miriam Calderón, Chief Policy Officer, ZERO TO THREE