For the first time since its inception, the fifth National Climate Assessment included a section dedicated to studying how climate change impacts women and LGBTQ+ people. This addition reflects changing public and governmental acknowledgement of the ways climate change exacerbates existing inequalities. Key ideas of the report include disproportionate experiences for women due to unique mental, sexual, and reproductive health needs that intersect with social, racial, and economic disparities and particular vulnerabilities for LGBTQ+ people as they are excluded from many social services. Climate change makes it harder for women, especially women of color, to access reproductive health care. At the same time, health concerns are rising for women because of the crisis and existing environmental concerns that are especially pressing in low income neighborhoods, such as heat exposure and pollution. Pregnant women are particularly vulnerable to climate-related health problems, including poor pregnancy outcomes and increased maternal mortality rates. LGBTQ+ people also face increased difficulty accessing support post disasters due to exclusion from many faith-based groups and even being blamed for disasters in faith circles. The report highlights the urgency for unique disaster planning to meet the needs of vulnerable communities and the importance of amplifying intersectionality in climate research.
