A California congresswoman thinks global warming will turn women into prostitutes

California Congresswoman Barbara Lee
(Image credit: Jason Kempin/Getty Images)

Of all the repercussions global warming could level on the planet — and there are many — this fear from California Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D) is pretty unique.

Lee presented House Concurrent Resolution 29 to the House of Representatives on Wednesday, in which she warns that "women will disproportionately face harmful impacts from climate change." How, you ask?

"Food-insecure women with limited socioeconomic resources may be vulnerable to situations such as sex work, transactional sex, and early marriage," in order to obtain food and water, the resolution reads.

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While Lee's take on the dangers of global warming may seem strangely specific, she does represent a state that just entered its fourth-straight year of a record-breaking drought, so California lawmakers are — clearly — looking at every possible effect.

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Sarah Eberspacher

Sarah Eberspacher is an associate editor at TheWeek.com. She has previously worked as a sports reporter at The Livingston County Daily Press & Argus and The Arizona Republic. She graduated from Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism.