Nursing’s pivotal role in global climate action

Abstract

Climate change threatens the very foundations of human health and existence. 1 The planet has warmed more than 1.2°C compared with preindustrial levels, precipitating profound and rapidly worsening health effects on every continent. 2 Despite overwhelming evidence, however, the global response to climate change has been mired in political intransigence and bureaucracy. Health professionals have been increasingly looked to for leadership, and their sustained commitment is dealing with critical gaps in climate science, policy, and advocacy. 2

Planetary Health Nursing

“…Advocacy efforts are most effective when nurses are in leadership roles, adequately recognized for their efforts, and compensated for their time, rather than expected to merely "help" with planetary health projects, such as climate action, within health care systems. 26 National and international nursing organizations can put forth white papers and position statements related to planetary health policy work. For example, the American Academy of Nursing's Expert Panel on Environmental and Public Health published a posi-Nurses can emphasize the importance of interconnectedness and emotional connections within nature and its biodiversity.…”

“…14 As nurses advocate for or write policies, it's essential that they communicate the root causes of the planetary health crises. 12,26 Amplifying the voices of nurses who live in and work with communities that are disproportionately affected by environmental justice issues, such as those working with Indigenous populations who hold ancestral knowledge of climate-protective practices, is also an essential component of advocacy efforts. 26 Emerging postcolonial critical theories can help guide nurses to deconstruct and disrupt the dominant discourse by challenging colonial capitalist systems.…”

“…12,26 Amplifying the voices of nurses who live in and work with communities that are disproportionately affected by environmental justice issues, such as those working with Indigenous populations who hold ancestral knowledge of climate-protective practices, is also an essential component of advocacy efforts. 26 Emerging postcolonial critical theories can help guide nurses to deconstruct and disrupt the dominant discourse by challenging colonial capitalist systems. 12 As nursing deepens its collaboration with policymakers and community leaders, nurses will become critical to restoring planetary health through their advocacy efforts.…”

İklim Değişikliklerinin Etkilerinin Azaltılmasında Halk Sağlığı Hemşireliği

“…Küresel iklim eyleminde hemşireliğin önemli rolünün incelendiği bir derlemede hemşirelerin iklim değişikliğini önleme ve müdahalede benzersiz konumda oldukları bildirilmiştir. Bunun nedenleri olarak; hemşirelerin dünya çapında sağlık profesyonellerinin %60'ını oluşturdukları, güvenilir oldukları ve iklim değişikliğinden önemli ölçüde etkilenen savunmasız gruplara hizmet verdikleri belirtilmiştir (Butterfield, et al, 2021). Lancette (2021) yayınlanan sağlık profesyonellerinin iklim değişikliği ve sağlık konusundaki görüşlerini içeren çok uluslu bir araştırmada katılımcıların konuyla ilgili eğitim ve savunuculuk yapma konusunda sorumluluk algıladıkları belirlenmiştir (Kotcher, et al, 2021).…”

How to reposition the nursing profession for a post-covid age

“…But these considerations must be viewed within a wider global context that includes gender equity45 and climate change6 as drivers of a new public health policy debate. And to reach universal health coverage by 2030 nurses must radically reframe their relationship with digital technology 7…”