Action Item: Stop Attacks Against

Strong Carbon and Soot Pollution Standards

Arizona needs all nurses to help defend our climate and our clean air! We need your help to stop attacks on recently implemented strong carbon and soot pollution standards. We need Congress is defend the new standards set by the EPA, you can ask them to do this by signing on to this letter. When completing the Form, check both carbon and soot boxes and add the AzNA Climate Change and Health Workgroup in the “Other Referral Organization” line.  Act Today and ask your nurse colleagues to sign on too. Thank you!

ANA Supports Nurses’ Engagement in Addressing

Climate Change, Climate Justice & Health

ANA’s Position Statement on the nurses’ role in addressing global climate change, climate justice, and health was updated and approved last September. It is important to revisit this statement and review the components of this important document created for nurses to remain updated and informed about our role in addressing this major health issue in our communities, country, and world. Worldwide, we have reported 12 unprecedented straight months of heat records. These record-warm temperatures are expected to continue. The ANA’s position statement provides several resources and ways nurses can become more engaged, provide help, and even lead efforts to help mitigate the health impacts of climate change. Nurses can be a source of hope, knowledge, and wisdom. It can feel overwhelming, yet necessary for nurses to jump from the sidelines into the game plan working on climate change in your community or workplace. Some ways for nurses to get involved are listed below. What stands out to you?

Nurses can play a role in professional settings including:

• Learn about climate change and how it impacts health, and then educate patients and colleagues about climate change efforts and mitigation strategies.
• Support the decarbonization of the health sector by joining your workplace sustainability committee or decarbonization committee. Several small steps build to larger ones to reduce your healthcare system’s footprint.
• Model and promote strategies to reduce as well as respond to the impacts of climate change.

In the community, public policy, and government, nurses can:

• Advocate for policies and vote for elected officials that advance just and equitable climate responses in the health setting as well as community resources
• Support and encourage nursing organizations to participate in multidisciplinary efforts to advance climate action.
• Serve in local governing bodies, on boards, on committees, or in public office to promote climate change and climate justice interventions.
• Participate in local and national climate change and climate justice discussions to share evidence-based information, enhance knowledge of advocacy efforts, and work to mitigate and adapt to climate change effects in all communities.

What We Are Reading & Listening to This Week

• Climate Crisis Creates a Health Crisis (VOA News)
• Tucson’s groundwater is partially contaminated by ‘forever chemicals’ (AZ Central)
• Who decides the future of the Colorado River-and how? (AZ Climate)
• With no formal heat standards, Arizona’s outdoor workers are at risk of illness and death (AZ Central)
• Phoenix tries again with an updated shade plan to help cool the city (Arizona Republic)
• New football conferences could increase CO2 emissions (AZ Central)

Join Us

June 18^th: 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm Developing Evidence for Climate Change and Health Action: The NIH-wide Climate Change and Health Initiative

June 18^th: 3:00 pm – 4:30pm Climate Change & Health: How to Help Patients Webinar

July 9^th: 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm AzNA Climate Change & Health Workgroup June. Zoom Link

Thank you for joining us in making a healthier planet today!