Planetary Health and Nursing

Kurzfassung/Abstract

Climate change is characterized by a process in which average temperatures and precipi- tation levels change over the long term. This results in extreme heat or cold, floods, storms, droughts, fires, and air pollution. All these events have direct effects on human physical and mental health. Furthermore, ecosystem and socially mediated impacts lead to conflicts and migration and affect well-being, mental and physical health as well. The concept of planetary health offers starting points for adapting to and coping with the climate crisis. The adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals by the United Nations and their incorporation into the International Council of Nurses' Code of Ethics places a responsibility on nursing professionals. This can result in levels of action at the micro, meso, and macro levels. These new scopes of practice require awareness, training, and empowerment on the topic, as well as expanded roles for nurses. These new roles and fields of action can relate to the individual care of persons and also extend to communi-ties or society and politics. In addition, the tasks range from health promotion to palliative care and cover the entire life cycle from prenatal to the elderly.