Current and Future Nursing in Promoting Planetary Health: Actions for Sustainable Development

Abstract

Objective: to reflect on the current and future role of nursing in promoting Planetary Health. Method: theoretical-reflective study, based on documents related to the environmentalist theory of Florence Nightingale, reports from the World Health Organization, and articles retrieved from a PUBMED search using the controlled descriptors “nursing” and “Planetary Health.” Results: nursing, since Florence Nightingale’s environmentalist theory, recognizes the interconnection between human beings and nature. Evolving as a science, it offers independent and collaborative care to people of all ages, families, groups, and communities, regardless of health status, in various settings. The role of nursing goes further, addressing disparities and inequities in both local and global health. Nurses are essential in identifying and mitigating global impacts, promoting Planetary Health. Current and future professionals must focus on prevention, increasing the resilience of patients and communities to climate challenges, thus contributing to the progress of global health. Conclusion: planetary nursing, due to its social influence, is a strong ally in mitigating and changing the population’s paradigm regarding environmental impacts and the necessary adaptive changes, as long as it applies the theories developed since the early days in its daily practice, promoting environmental and planetary health and thus contributing to achieving the sustainable development goals.