October 16th, 2025 • 5:30 - 6:30pm

This presentation explores the important field of planetary health. Planetary health is defined as the interconnection between human health and the health of the environment, recognizing that changes in our natural world—such as climate change, pollution, biodiversity loss, and unsustainable food systems—are driving major health challenges. These environmental shifts are contributing to heat-related illnesses, respiratory diseases, infectious disease spread, and mental health impacts, all of which are being felt in healthcare settings today. 

Nurses play a vital role in both responding to and preventing these health crises. As frontline caregivers, we are seeing firsthand how climate change and environmental degradation disproportionately impact vulnerable populations, including low-income communities, Indigenous peoples, and those with chronic illnesses. Addressing health equity is essential, as these populations often face the greatest exposure to environmental hazards while having the least access to healthcare resources. At the same time, the healthcare sector itself contributes to environmental harm through medical waste, energy consumption, and greenhouse gas emissions. Nurses have the power to advocate for sustainable healthcare practices, such as waste reduction, climate-conscious hospital policies, and greener care models.  By integrating planetary health into nursing practice, we can help create a healthier, more sustainable, and more equitable future for both our patients and the world around us. Protecting the diversity of life and ensuring the sustainability of ecosystems will be key to preserving our own health and the health of future generations.