COP26: This time, nurses are taking a lead.

Abstract

When people ask me, “What does climate change have to do with nursing?”, my response is: “Everything!” Our changing climate influences the current health conditions of the patients and populations we care for. This includes exacerbations of illnesses, exposures to vector-borne diseases, and equitable access to food, clean air, medical equipment, and a myriad of social supports that promote and maintain health. These multiple health impacts influence nursing practice from disaster preparation and management, the frequency and severity of illnesses of hospitalized patients, our discharge planning, and preventive and health protective actions. In fact, climate change has been identified as the greatest global public health threat (Lancet Countdown, n.d.). To promote, maintain, and restore health, nurses must be aware of basic climate science, including the causes of climate change and its health impacts. In addition, nurses must advocate at the local, province or state, national, and global levels to address climate change.