Nursing on the Frontlines of the Climate Crisis: Strategies for Advocacy and Action

Speaker: Jo Bjorgaard, DNP, RN, PHN, CSSBB Senior Climate & Health Manager, Climate Advocacy Lab 

Moderated by: Michelle DePhillips, DNP, MPH, RN, ACNP-AG

This session introduces participants to the critical role of nurses in addressing the health impacts of climate change through advocacy and narrative leadership. The lesson emphasizes the strategic use of storytelling as a tool for influencing climate policy and public awareness, situating this practice within the broader framework of evidence-based nursing and global health equity. Participants will engage with case studies and reflective exercises to explore how personal and professional experiences can be leveraged to drive systems-level change in climate and health.  

Learning Objectives

• Identify core advocacy concepts relevant to global nursing and recognize the strategic role nurses play in advancing climate and health solutions.

• Explain how storytelling functions as a powerful advocacy tool that can shift narratives, build public support, and influence decision-makers.

• Analyze a real-world case study of nurse-led storytelling in climate advocacy to understand how these strategies are applied in practice.

• Reflect on your own experiences and values to begin applying storytelling as a strategy in your future role as a nurse advocate for climate and health systems change.

Speakers:

Barbara Sattler, RN, DrPH,  FAAN, Professor Emeritus, University of San Francisco School of Nursing and Health Professionals, Leadership Council, California Nurses for Environmental Health and Justice

Gina Friel, DNP, CRNP-PC, Global Consortium on Climate and Health Education, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, Global Nurses Working Group, Director

Moderated by: Karen Duderstadt, PhD, RN, CPNP, FAAN

Focus Statement:

This session explores how nurses can apply systems thinking to support communities undergoing industrial transitions, emphasizing the health and mental health impacts of these changes, and the critical role of policy engagement and social safety nets in promoting a just transition for affected workers and families. A case study will be presented to illustrate real-world implications of a community impacted by a transition and the complex interrelationships surrounding the economic, health, and overall well-being of the community.

By analyzing the interconnected social, economic, and environmental determinants of health, nurses are positioned to advocate for equitable policies that mitigate the adverse effects of deindustrialization and foster community resilience.

Learning Objectives:

• Outline ways to apply systems thinking to the concept of just transition.

• Describe ways nurses can engage in policies to support affected workers and families when anchoring industries abandon a community.

• Recognize the increased health risks that are associated with communities in transition.

• Recognize that supporting social safety net policies can play an important part in sustaining health and mental health in communities where industrial transitions are occurring.

Speakers:

Heather Baid, PhD, RN, SFHEA

Jeremiah Headen, B.S. in Political Science, Fellowship Director at the Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments, Associate Director of Place-Based Initiatives at Health Care Without Harm

Moderated by: Ashley Moore, PhD (c), MS, RN

Focus Statement: 

As trusted advocates for both people and the planet, nurses play a pivotal role in creating a net zero, climate-resilient health and social care system. This session explores the principles of planetary health and their relevance to nursing and midwifery, highlighting how everyday clinical practice can advance the goals of net zero ambitions. Through reflection, practical examples, and new sustainability resources, nurses will be empowered to lead system-wide change—driving sustainable transformation and ensuring the health of future generations.

Learning objectives:

1. Recognize the need to create a net zero, climate-resilient health and social care system, and the unique contribution of nurses.

2. Recognize the role of nurses in supporting the goal of net zero ambitions and consider the use of these goals through everyday clinical practice.

3. Describe the concept of planetary health and its relevance to nursing and midwifery.

4. Identify how nurses can lead system wide change to drive sustainable transformation in health and care settings through the use of several newly available resources to support these efforts.

Speakers:

Dr Katharine Martyn RN, RNut Principal Lecturer Nutrition, School of Education, Sport and Health Sciences, University of Brighton

Moderated by: Gina Friel, DNP, CRNP-PC

Focus Statement:

This session examines the interconnections between a changing climate, food systems, and health equity, emphasizing how environmental changes influence food production and access to nutritious foods for patients. Learners will explore how nurses can apply a sustainable lens in assessing and planning for patients’ nutritional needs, integrating environmental, social, and economic considerations into care. Through critical reflection, learners will also consider practical strategies for reducing food waste within clinical settings, reinforcing nursing’s role in promoting both individual and planetary health.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe how climate change can impact food production and equitable access to healthier foods for your patients.

• Explore how, as a nurse, you will use a sustainable lens when assessing and developing a plan that meets a patient’s nutritional needs.

• Critically reflect on how nurses can tackle food waste in their clinical practice.

Speakers:

Alysha T. Jones, RNc, MSc, MScN, CCNE, Co-chair Environmental Justice and Reconciliation Committee, Canadian Association of Nurses for the Environment 

Keara Allen, M.A., Environmental and Climate Justice Researcher, Consultant, and Advocate

Moderated by: Michelle DePhillips, DNP, MPH, RN, ACNP-AG

Focus Statement:

This session explores the intersection of health, environment, and social justice, examining how systemic, cumulative, and intersectional forms of environmental racism shape health outcomes across communities. Students will define key concepts in environmental and climate justice and analyze the health consequences of inequitable environmental exposures. Through a nursing lens, this session emphasizes advocacy, education, and leadership roles nurses play in recognizing, addressing, and mitigating the impacts of environmental racism—promoting healthier, more equitable communities locally and globally.

Learning Objectives:

• Define environmental racism and describe how it is systemic, cumulative, and intersectional in nature.

• Identify some of the health impacts associated with environmental racism.

• Define environmental and climate justice.

• Outline the role of nurses in addressing environmental racism and in promoting environmental and climate justice.

Speakers:

Luseshelo Simwinga Mumba, BScNM, MScNMEd, Nurse Midwife Educator, Maternal, Neonatal and Child Health Coordinator

Moderated by: Karen Duderstadt, PhD

Focus Statement:

This session explores the intersection of global climate change and maternal-newborn health (MNH), emphasizing the urgent need for climate-informed nursing and midwifery practice. This session will discuss how a changing climate impacts pregnancy outcomes, maternal well-being, and newborn survival, while identifying strategies to strengthen resilience and continuity of MNH services during climate-related disruptions. Through advocacy, preparedness, and evidence-based care, nurses and midwives will be empowered to lead efforts that protect mothers and infants, promote health equity, and advance sustainable healthcare solutions in the face of global climate challenges.

Learning Objectives:

• Define global climate change
• Discuss its impact on maternal and newborn health
• Describe the role of nurses/midwives in climate preparedness and advocacy
• Identify opportunities for promoting quality MNH services during climate challenges

Speakers:

Ashley Moore, MS, RN, PhD(c), Climate & Planetary Health Nursing Fellow, Global Consortium on Climate and Health Education (GCCHE), Registered Nurse, UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center

Stella Aguinaga Bialous, DrPH, FAAN, Professor and Chair, Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, UCSF School of Nursing, Faculty, Center for Tobacco Control Research and Education

Moderated by: Gina Friel, DNP, CRNP-PC

Focus Statement:

This session explores the intersection of climate change, environmental exposures, and global cancer care, highlighting the nurse’s role in promoting health equity and environmental justice. Learners will examine key environmental and climate-related factors that contribute to cancer risk and influence outcomes across diverse global settings. The session will address disparities in cancer detection, treatment, and survivorship within varied health systems and resource contexts, while analyzing how climate-related events—such as wildfires, extreme heat, and infrastructure disruptions—impact oncology care delivery. Emphasis will be placed on nursing-led advocacy and strategies to reduce environmental carcinogens, advance sustainable practices, and shape climate-health policies that protect oncology patients and vulnerable populations.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify key environmental exposures and climate-related factors that increase cancer risk and affect cancer outcomes globally.

• Describe disparities in cancer detection, treatment, and survivorship across different global health systems and resource levels.

• Analyze how climate-related events (e.g., wildfires, extreme heat, infrastructure collapse) disrupt oncology care delivery.

• Advocate for nursing-led strategies to reduce environmental carcinogens and influence climate-health policies that protect oncology patients and vulnerable populations.

Speakers:

Christina T. Kwauk, PhD

Leso Munala

Focus Statement:

This session examines the intersection of climate change and gender-based violence (GBV), highlighting how climate-related events such as extreme weather can heighten risks for women, girls, and other vulnerable populations. Through an exploration of climate-amplified risk factors, nurses will learn to identify early signs of GBV and provide trauma-informed care in both clinical and community contexts. Emphasis will be placed on multi-level strategies—individual, community, and policy—to eliminate GBV and strengthen women’s climate resilience. Finally, the session will empower nursing professionals to collaborate with community leaders, health systems, and advocacy organizations to promote safety, equity, and climate justice.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe the established links between climate-related events (e.g., extreme weather events) and the increased risk of gender-based violence (GBV).

• Identify climate-amplified risk factors for GBV in clinical and community settings, enabling earlier screening and support for vulnerable individuals.

• Explore individual-level, community-level and policy-level solutions to eliminate gender-based violence and barriers to women and girls' climate resilience.

• Describe how nursing professionals can partner with community educators, health professionals, and advocacy organizations to address GBV in the context of climate change.

Speakers:

Gary Glauberman, PhD, RN, PHNA-BC, NHDP-BC, Chair, Department of Nursing, Associate Professor, Director Advanced Population Health Nursing Program University of Hawaii at Manoa Nursing

Melveen Camba, MS, RN

Moderated by: Hannah Noel, DNP, RN

Focus Statement:

This session examines the critical intersection between health, nursing practice, and disaster preparedness in an era of increasing extreme weather events. Learners will explore how social determinants of health influence the vulnerability and resilience of patients, families, and communities to disasters locally and globally. Emphasis will be placed on identifying health outcomes associated with natural and climate-related disasters, understanding the essential roles and responsibilities of nurses in emergency preparedness and response, and developing core leadership competencies necessary for effective disaster management. Through a focus on prevention, preparedness, and action, nurses will learn to implement evidence-based strategies that reduce disaster risk and promote equitable, community-centered responses to emergency situations.

Learning Objectives: 

• Explain how the social determinants of health influence the risk for, and the impact of, disasters on patients, families, and communities locally and globally.

• List specific health outcomes linked with extreme weather and other natural disasters.

• Describe emergency/disaster preparedness and the basic roles and responsibilities of nurses related to disasters. 

• Identify core nursing competencies necessary for effective leadership in emergency preparedness and response. 

• Identify specific actions that nurses can take to reduce disaster risk and respond to emergency situations caused by extreme weather.

Speakers: 

Hayley Blackburn, Pharm.D., Associate Professor, University of Montana

Lisa Cerceo, MD, Professor of Medicine, Cooper Medical School, Rowan University

Cara Cook, MS, RN, AHN-BC, Director of Programs at Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments

Annie Rosenthal, MSW, Associate Director of Programs and Operations at UC Center for Climate, Health and Equity

Moderated by: Gina Friel, DNP, CRNP-PC

Focus Statement:

This session focuses on strengthening interprofessional collaboration to address the health impacts of climate change through coordinated, evidence-based, and equity-centered approaches. Learners will explore opportunities within their areas of expertise to engage in interprofessional teamwork, enhance communication and decision-making across disciplines, and demonstrate inclusive leadership in complex healthcare environments. Emphasis will be placed on developing comprehensive, team-based strategies that integrate diverse perspectives, respond to the needs of vulnerable populations, and engage community stakeholders to promote sustainable and just health outcomes in a changing climate.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe Interprofessional Collaboration within your area of expertise and identify opportunities within that area of expertise for interprofessional teams to work together.

• Facilitate effective communication and decision-making across healthcare disciplines, demonstrating skills in team coordination, conflict resolution, and inclusive leadership in addressing the health impacts of climate change.

• Lead comprehensive, team-based strategies that address specific climate-health challenges by synthesizing diverse disciplinary perspectives, vulnerable population needs, and evidence-based practices into actionable protocols.

• Engage stakeholders across healthcare and community settings to promote sustainable, equitable responses to climate-related health threats, while empowering vulnerable populations through coordinated interprofessional care networks.