Nursing Collaborative on Climate Change and Health

Why nurses must lead on climate

The science is clear: climate change is one of the most serious threats to human health we face today… As nurses, we have a duty to provide our patients, communities,families and children with a safe and healthy future.

The most at-risk populations are children, elderly, low-income, and minorities… the burden of pollution and climate change falls unfairly on these populations, creating health disparities.

Climate change harms our water supply, air quality, food supply, and mental health and increases the occurrence of vector-borne diseases and extreme weather events… addressing climate change provides clean air and water and reduces climate-related health impacts and supports healthy environments and people.

Nurses are the most trusted professionals and have direct access to educating and engaging the public... they are credible and influential communicators on how climate change is impacting our health and call for climate solutions that will protect and promote our health and well-being in the varied communities and institutions they serve.

ANHE is a founding partner of Climate for Health, a national initiative that brings together leaders and institutions across the health sector committed to advancing climate solutions to protect the health and well-being of Americans. Climate for Health helps inform the American public about the health risks posed by a changing climate and clarifying the connection between their own health and the health of our environment.

Nursing Collaborative on Climate Change and Health: What we will do

The Nursing Collaborative on Climate Change and Health is partnership between the Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments, Climate for Health, and nursing organizations that have committed to: 

Elevate climate change as a visible health priority: we will make the connection between climate and human health and prioritize the need to advance acclimate protective strategies to protect health a core part of our mission.

Create a climate literate nursing community: we will act as a resource in promoting the education and ability of nurses to deliver effective evidence-based climate and health communication by providing guides and guidance and incorporating climate in all our gatherings and resources.

Engage all stakeholders: we will connect climate and human health to engage communities, patients, colleagues and other health professionals, policy-makers, and the public.

Building collective support and action for solutions: bring together a nationwide network of nursing associations who will engage their peers, communities, healthcare institutions, the public and policy makers in climate action that protects and promotes health.

The following national nursing organizations are members of the Nursing Collaborative on Climate Change and Health:

• Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments (ANHE)
• American Academy of Nursing (AAN)
• American Association of Occupational Health Nurses (AAOHN)
• Association of Public Health Nurses (APHN)
• American Federation of Teachers Nurses and Health Professions
• Center for Climate Change, Climate Justice, and Health at the MGH Institute of Health Professions
• National Association of Hispanic Nurses (NAHN)
• National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women’s Health (NPWH)
• National Association of School Nurses
• National League for Nursing 
• National Student Nurses’ Association (NSNA)
• Nurse Alliance of SEIU Healthcare 
• Public Health Nursing Section of the American Public Health Association (APHA-PHN)
• Preventive Cardiovascular Nurses Association (PCNA)
• Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing

If you are interested in learning more or becoming a member please contact cara@envirn.org.

Nurses Caring for Climate and Health

Climate change is one of the most pressing public health problems of our time. But is it also one of the greatest opportunities to make positive change in the health of Americans, as well as populations globally. Nurses are in every community and as the most trusted profession are well-positioned to take a lead in caring for climate.

Nurses Caring for Climate and Health from ecoAmerica on Vimeo.

Nurses Caring for Climate and Health shares stories and experiences of nurses across specialties, describing how their practices and patients are impacted by climate change and what they are doing to move climate solutions forward.

Get Started

Want to know how to take action and promote Climate Change solutions? As part of our partnership, ANHE and Climate for Health have developed a getting started guide, a guidance for nurses to reduce their climate impact and advocate and inspire others to act. Download Getting Started with Climate Solutions: A Guide for Nurses.

For additional tools and  resources created by the Climate for Health community view the links below.

Reduce Your Impact: Get started on your Path to Positive by taking steps to make an impact in your community, health facility, office, or organization. Go here for resources and ideas to reduce your environmental impact.

Engage Others:  Engage others in your community, peers and policymakers in leading on climate and health. Go here for research-driven communications tools, resources, and other materials to engage and inspire others to support and advocate for climate solutions.

Stay Informed: Join events, get news updates, and share ideas with other health professionals working on climate and health.

For more tools and ways to be engaged visit the ANHE Climate Change page.