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Environmental Justice

As nurses, we recognize that bold action is needed to address the catastrophic health impacts of global warming, and the associated extreme weather conditions such as wide spread drought, wildfires, and flooding all over world. We witness daily the illness brought on by environmental injustice in our communities; disease from air pollution, inadequate access to clean water, substandard and polluted housing, and toxic dumping. We know that globally 8 million people die annually from illnesses directly attributable to air pollution, primarily from the burning of fossil fuels. If present trends continue, the world is facing a catastrophic increase in global temperature between 3.7 and 6 degrees celsius by the end of the century. As temperatures rise, vector-born diseases, such as malaria, dengue, yellow fever and lyme are expected to spike. In addition, further global warming will magnify the already disastrous health impacts of fossil fuel pollution, hunger and malnutrition due to desertification, devastation and displacement from severe weather events and sea level rise, all leading to immeasurable human suffering and economic ruination.

CNA/NNOC is committed to providing relief for communities impacted by extreme weather events and environmental injustice both in the US and around the world. We are committed to supporting policy measures to protect, air, food, and water services for all people. We support the Paris Accord, the transition from fossil fuels to a clean energy sector. We will continue to work in our communities, nationally and internationally, to build a powerful movement for environmental and climate justice with the life-and-death urgency the this task requires.

Resolution on Environmental and Climate Justice »

Nurses marching, holding banner that reads "Global Nurses Solidarity" and sign that reads "Our Planet, Our Health"

Nurse union leaders from around the world demand governments address health impacts of the climate crisis

At a briefing for members of the global press, Global Nurses United (GNU), the premier federation of global nurse unions, released a statement urging governments to take action against the health impacts of climate change, in advance of international climate negotiations at COP28.

Global Nurses United
November 29, 2023

Nurses seating at tables in convention hall with their international flags

Global Nurses United celebrates successful meeting on pandemic policy and climate change

More than 250 nurses from 33 countries across six continents gathered to discuss the ongoing impacts the Covid-19 pandemic has had in their countries, as well as their current and future concerns about health impacts of the pervasive problem of understaffing in hospitals and clinics around the world and the climate crisis.

Global Nurses United
October 10, 2023

NNU logo

Nurses call on House to join U.S. Senate in passage of reforms

NNU applauded the U.S. Senate for passing the Inflation Reduction Act, which the union called “an important first step to enact reforms to rein in pharmaceutical price gouging and act on the climate crisis,” and urged the U.S. House of Representatives to pass the bill as soon as possible.

National Nurses United
August 8, 2022

Nurse speaks at rally against fossil fuels

Nurses Across California Fight Fossil Fuel Industry

In Southern California, nurses teamed up with doctors and environmental and health care activists under the Stand Together Against Neighborhood Drilling project to lobby the Los Angeles City Council.

California Nurses Association
June 19, 2019

Congressional Scorecard

National Progressive Organizations Announce New Congressional Scorecard on Public Health, Environmental Issues

The scorecard shows which members of Congress have co-sponsored five key bills that would collectively ensure a strong, just future of public health and environmental protection in the United States.

National Nurses United
August 7, 2018

NURSE TALK RADIO: Michael Lighty on the Keystone XL Pipeline and Actions By Nurses

Director of Public Policy for California Nurses Association Michael Lighty talks with Casey and Shayne about the health and environmental concerns related to the Keystone XL Pipeline.

Nurse Talk Radio

Primer on Climate Change, Healthcare, and the Keystone XL Pipeline

The Keystone project is a controversial proposal for a 1,700 mile pipeline to send 900,000 barrels every day of one of the world’s dirtiest fuels, tar sands oil from Alberta, Canada to Gulf Coast refineries in Texas. Major oil and other fossil fuel corporations in the U.S. and Canada, joined by other Wall Street interests and the federal and state politicians they influence are promoting the plan.

National Nurses United

Demand Secretary Kerry Prove No Health Harm from the Keystone XL Pipeline!

On behalf of the 185,000 registered nurses of National Nurses United, we endorse the request by Senators Barbara Boxer and Sheldon Whitehouse for an immediate, comprehensive State Department study on the human health impacts of the proposed Keystone XL pipeline project.

National Nurses United