By including content addressing climate and health in their nursing curricula, these schools are equipping their students with the tools to combat the greatest public health threat of the 21st century.
Not only will they learn more about the health impacts of climate change (such as illness, death, and injury due to extreme temperatures and weather events, changes in infectious disease vectors, increases in waterborne illnesses, and wide-ranging impacts from air pollution), they will also learn about healthcare’s contribution to the problem.
The healthcare sector is responsible for 4.4% of global net emissions, and health professionals should understand what actions they and their organisations can take to mitigate healthcare’s emissions and increase resilience to the impacts of climate change.
The Nurses Climate Challenge Europe invites all nursing schools in Europe to participate in the Nursing School Commitment to better prepare nurses to care for patients and communities in a world with a changing climate.
To read the Nursing School Commitment and find more information on how your nursing school can join, please visit the Nurses Climate Challenge Europe website.