It is time for nurses to become involved within the fight against climate change

We will not turn away from the reality; climate change has a serious impact on the health of our world. All it’s essential do is take a look at the news and go outside. People die from extreme heat, dehydration, floods, fires, smoke and exposure to pollution. It shouldn’t be the top; we’re seeing problems with vector-borne diseases, water- and food-related diseases, and even violence and poor mental health on the whole (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2023). Some areas of the world are experiencing the most popular days on record, while other geographic areas are experiencing torrential downpours, tornadoes, hurricanes and floods. Climate change shouldn’t be a national problem; is global.

Climate change is the best health threat facing humanity.

Climate change has a direct impact on social determinants of health, causing food, economic, housing and health insecurity. Recently, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared that climate change is the best health threat facing humanity (WHO, 2023). WHO estimates that climate change will cause a further 250,000 deaths between 2030 and 2050 on account of malnutrition, malaria, diarrhea, heat stress, and other diseases and injuries (WHO, 2023). The direct impact on health care costs is estimated to be between two and 4 billion dollars per 12 months, representing roughly 0.044% of total global health care expenditure (based on an estimated total global health care expenditure of nine trillion dollars) by 2030 ( WHO, 2022; WHO, 2023).

Let’s teach people learn how to stay healthy.

Nurses care about people, and climate change provides an incredible opportunity for them to volunteer of their communities. Nurses are known for his or her ability to teach people and gain trust. That is our opportunity to teach and prepare others for the results of climate change. Nurses can support their community climate change initiatives and emergency response network by offering education to people on learn how to reduce their carbon footprint and greenhouse gas emissions. Nurses also can help establish shelters and relief centers where people can escape extreme heat, cold or flooding. Nurses can discover people who find themselves vulnerable in society on account of exposure, sensitivity or lack of adaptability within the event of an incident, and initiate actions to assist these people.

It’s as much as each of us to alter something.

Irrespective of how hard we try, we will not escape it. Global warming affects the health of everyone around the globe. Most, if not all, nurses cared for patients affected by climate change issues. Nurses’ role shall be to change into climate leaders and advocates. Here is our opportunity to assist prioritize climate change interventions, recognize probably the most vulnerable people and intervene to maintain them secure. Every nurse can reduce their impact on the environment and motivate others to alter.

United States Environmental Protection Agency. (2023, June 30). Environmental Protection Agency. AND https://www.epa.gov/climate-change

World Health ORganisation. (2022). https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240064911

World Health ORganisation. (2023). https://www.who.int/health-topics/climate-change