ENVIRONMENTAL ADVOCACY IN
A TIME OF UNCERTAINTY
By Peggy Slota, DNP, RN, FAAN
NHS Educator Track, Associate Professor
Director, Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Program
Georgetown University School of Nursing & Health Studies
INTRODUCTION
Human activities—from a local level to a global level—have significantly impacted climate change and the environ-
ment. Subsequently, climate change has impacted human health. Government policies implemented or proposed
since 2016 have impacted or may impact a number of environmental protections and land use, including but not
limited to national parks, the arctic refuge, clean water, air quality, pesticide use, regulation of coal power, power
plants, methane emissions, groundwater protections, cleaner cars, pipelines, offshore drilling, and foods and infra-
structure. This article will briefly review current evidence related to the science of climate change and its impact on
health. In addition, steps to develop a personal advocacy plan will be recommended.
Registered nurses (RNs) are trusted by the public. As such, RNs can educate communities about climate change
and environmental protections. The more than 3.6 million RNs in the United States (ANA, 2018) have the power
and ability to advocate for environmental protections and influence legislative policies that impact health in our
communities.
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