; Whereas the longer the length of time atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations remain at dangerous levels, the greater the risk of locking-in dangerous warming-driven feedback loops and triggering accelerated heating and irreversible catastrophic impact; Whereas climate change is a threat to national security, as climate change contributes to and exacerbates global instability and conflict; Whereas the generation of today’s children was born into a climate system made harmful to their health and well-being because of human-caused climate change; Whereas children are uniquely vulnerable to human-caused climate change because of their developing bodies, higher exposure to air, food, and water per unit of body weight, unique behavior patterns, dependence on caregivers, and longevity on the planet; Whereas human-caused climate change is a public health emergency that is adversely and disproportionately impacting the physical health of children through— (1) increases in extreme weather events, including increases in heavy rainfall, flooding, and hurricanes, that cause disruptive evacuations, school closures, and displacement; (2) increases in the frequency and intensity of extreme heat waves and rising temperatures, which cause— (A) increased heat exposure and illness, which is a leading cause of death and illness in high school athletes with nearly 10,000 episodes of heat illness occurring annually; and (B) increases in infant mortality by 25 percent on extremely hot days, with the first 7 days of life representing a period of critical vulnerability; (3) increases in drier conditions and drought, leading to an earlier wildfire season peak, and increased wildfire season length, wildfire frequency, and extent of burned area, which expose children— (A) to wildfire smoke that causes substantial eye symptoms; (B) to debilitating headaches and nausea; and (C) to upper and lower respiratory symptoms that lead to increased rates of asthma-related hospitalizations and emergency room visits