By 2030, climate change is expected to contribute to an additional 250,000 deaths each year and impoverish an additional 100 million people, primarily due to increases in heat illness, cardiac and pulmonary diseases, asthma, allergies, mental health crises, and diseases borne of water, vectors, and food. These impacts lead to cascading health effects and healthcare disruptions, which contribute to prolonged boarding times, staffing shortages, worker fatigue, and poor patient outcomes. This situation underscores the importance of environmental nursing and nursing sustainability initiatives.
However, there is hope. Climate action is beneficial to everyone, as it lowers carbon emissions while improving overall health. By incorporating a sustainability toolkit in healthcare practices, we can promote sustainable healthcare and support sustainable nursing efforts that prioritize both the planet and public health.
Join us in our mission to promote environmental health through environmental nursing and nursing sustainability. Together, we can utilize our sustainability toolkit to advance sustainable healthcare and foster sustainable nursing practices.