In response to proposals and executive orders that aim to gut the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, roll back climate policy and efforts to combat climate change, and that prioritize industry over health, tens of thousands of people joined together this past Saturday to march in Washington, DC. Front-line communities, environmental activists, labor unions and government workers, concerned citizens, scientists, and other health professionals showed up by the numbers to demand environmental protection and climate action. In the DC march alone there were over 200,000 marchers, with another tens of thousands in over 370 sister marches across the country. Internationally, similar marches took place in Canada, Europe, Australia, and Asia to demand climate action from world leaders.
ANHE nurses participated in the DC march and across the country to voice concerns regarding the health impacts that nurses and their patients are facing and projected to face as a result of climate change. Additionally, nurses participated on behalf of labor unions, including SEIU Health Alliance, National Nurses United, and NYS Nurses Association. With the Trump Administration set to make a decision regarding U.S. participation in the Paris Agreement, nursing advocacy on behalf of health is needed now more than ever. Let’s keep the momentum going and continue to be strong voices for the climate movement! Our patients, communities, future generations, and planet depend on it.
To see videos and photos from the DC and sister marches visit the Peoples Climate Movement website.
