Written By Mark Holmes

In the face of the global climate crisis, we often look to scientists, policymakers, and environmental experts for solutions. However, there’s an untapped reservoir of knowledge and experience that could prove invaluable in this fight: nursing wisdom. As we seek innovative approaches to combat climate change, it’s time to consider how the principles and practices of nursing can be applied to adjacent industries and environmental initiatives.

Nurses are masters of holistic, or what has fashionably been termed, ‘systems’ thinking, understanding that health is not just about treating symptoms but addressing the entire system. This systems-thinking approach is precisely what’s needed in tackling climate change. Just as nurses consider a patient’s environment, lifestyle, and social factors in addition to their immediate health concerns, we must approach climate change by examining the interconnected systems of our planet, societies, and economies. This forms the foundation of planetary health nursing – where the health our Earth is intrinsically linked to human health.

The nursing profession’s emphasis on health promotion, primary health and preventive care translates beautifully to climate action. Nurses don’t just treat illnesses; they work tirelessly to prevent them. In Florence Nightingale’s foundational work, “Notes on nursing: what it is, and what it is not” she meticulously details such areas as basic hygiene, ventilation and warmth, sound levels and the impact on environment on health and healing. Similarly, in combating climate change, we need to focus not only on mitigating current impacts but also on preventing future damage. Industries can learn from nursing’s proactive stance, implementing measures that anticipate and prevent environmental harm rather than simply reacting to crises. Is it time for, ‘Notes on Planetary Health Nursing: what it is and what it is not’?

Nurses are also experts in resource management, often working in high-pressure environments with limited supplies. This skill is crucial in developing sustainable practices across industries. From optimising energy use to reducing waste, the efficient resource allocation strategies employed in nursing can guide businesses and organisations towards more environmentally friendly operations. Nurses are in control of high waste episodes of care and every little matters.

Moreover, nurses excel in communication and education, skills that are vital in spreading awareness about climate change and promoting sustainable behaviours. Their ability to translate complex medical information into understandable terms for patients mirrors the need to communicate climate science effectively to the public. Industries can adopt these communication strategies to engage employees and customers in sustainability efforts. If a Nurse can convince a toddler to take medicine – they can do anything…

The nursing profession’s commitment to ethical practice and patient advocacy also offers valuable lessons. Nurses often serve as advocates for their patients’ best interests, a role that can be translated to environmental advocacy. Industries can embrace this ethos, becoming champions for the planet’s health just as nurses champion their patients’ well-being. This includes foreground nursing wisdom into adjacent industries and becoming politically active.

Collaboration is another cornerstone of nursing practice that can be applied to climate action. Nurses work seamlessly in multidisciplinary teams, coordinating care across various specialties. This collaborative approach is essential in addressing climate change, which requires cooperation across different sectors, disciplines, and geographical boundaries. Nurses are coordinators of care. Every day they miraculously follow all sorts of advice from all sorts of professionals and specialist all with varying expertise. It is a Nurse that can coordinate and make sense of this collaborative approach. So why shouldn’t Nurses be leading nontraditional industries such as resources, transport, energy that requires inter disciplinary collaboration?  

By foregrounding nursing wisdom in our approach to climate change, we can infuse our efforts with compassion, efficiency, and a holistic perspective. The nursing profession’s focus on care, prevention, resource management, communication, advocacy, and collaboration offers a powerful framework for tackling environmental challenges. As we move forward in our fight against climate change, let’s not overlook the valuable insights that nursing can provide. By applying nursing wisdom to adjacent industries and environmental initiatives, we can foster a more caring, efficient, and effective approach to preserving our planet’s health for generations to come.

About the author: Mark Holmes is self-confessed ‘systems thinker’, Nurse and Midwife who accidentally fell into climate change activism and advocacy. He is a powerful believer in foregrounding the inherent skills and wisdom nurses have. Mark has an interest in Nursing and Midwifery Policy and Politics and understand how powerful nurses are. He is constantly inspired by his colleagues’ passion and dedication to making the world a better place.  All opinions are his own and this blog post was developed with the assistance of Claude Ai (why not leverage technology?) but the author reviewed and edited the content and takes full responsibility for the subject matter of the publication.