This discussion was incredibly eye opening for me as an individual of society. Prior to today, I had not connected climate and justice as part of health. In fact, I realize now that I have been very ignorant in regards to this matter as I have been fortunate enough to never experience personal trauma and suffering related to climate change. The statistics on how the poor, stigmatized, and minority groups suffer the most from climate related changes in the world were shocking to say the least. However, with the current and progressing climate crisis, I am certain that we all will be affected by climate related catastrophes in the future. While it is daunting and frightening to think about, we must take action as a society and create new ways of living in order to conserve our planet and home.
As a future nurse, there are many ways I can improve current nursing practices to reduce the environmental impacts and contribute to the movement for change. Nurses are the most trusted profession by society and therefore can have a significant impact on educating the population on the need for change and how it can be done. However, healthcare settings are one of the greatest contributors to climate change and therefore nurses must lead by example. Nurses can consider their resource use and waste production in the hospital and encourage the use of reusable products when appropriate. Additionally, nurses can voice their concerns to the hospital and advocate for safer, renewable energy sources including hydro, wind, and solar energy. The progression of climate change is continuing at a terrifyingly rapid pace and it is truly frightening to think about our own futures and the future of our children. However, when we think in this way, we can understand that this is in fact a “human problem,” as Reverend Lennox Yearwood Junior states, meaning we are all affected no matter our race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, or habitat. Therefore, we all have a part to play in the solution.
