FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 30, 2020
Contact:
Cara Cook, Climate & Health Program Manager, ANHE
585.469.2383
cara@envirn.org
Nurses Applaud House Leadership and the Select Committee on the Climate Crisis’ Blueprint to Address Climate Change
Washington, D.C. (June 30, 2020)— Today, the House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis released a blueprint to address the climate crisis entitled “Solving the Climate Crisis: The Congressional Action Plan for a Clean Energy Economy and a Healthy and Just America.” The Climate Crisis Action Plan includes 12 key pillars, outlining policy recommendations and a roadmap for Congress to address the climate crisis by focusing on building a clean energy economy and advancing economic and environmental justice.
In response to the report release the Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments’ Executive Director, Katie Huffling, MS, RN, CNM, FAAN issued the following statement:
“People in the United States are already experiencing the health impacts of climate change. Limiting warming to 1.5˚C is critical to prevent against the worst health threats posed by climate change. To do this requires national leadership pushing for bold and ambitious climate action that puts us on a path to a healthier, more equitable, and sustainable future. The Climate Crisis Action Plan released today provides a blueprint for action to achieve economic growth and environmental justice, protect human health, and reduce the threat of climate change.”
“The COVID-19 pandemic has made it clear that we must heed the science and act quickly to address public health threats like the climate crisis. The pandemic has further placed a national spotlight on how racial injustices experienced by Black, Indigenous, and people of color impact health and well-being in this country. Now more than ever we must invest in communities and ensure access to resources that reduce emissions and promote resilience in the face of the climate crisis.”
“The time is now for elected officials to listen to the growing demands for climate action and support this roadmap for action. The Climate Crisis Action Plan offers concrete solutions to protect health, rebuild our economy, and end the climate crisis by building a clean energy economy that puts people and workers first and advances economic and environmental justice.”
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The Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments is the only national nursing organization focused solely on the intersection of health and the environment. The mission of the Alliance is to promote healthy people and healthy environments by educating and leading the nursing profession, advancing research, incorporating evidence-based practice, and influencing policy.
