FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 27, 2019
Contact:
Cara Cook, Climate Change Program Coordinator, ANHE
585.469.2383
cara@envirn.org
Washington, DC – Today members of the House of Representatives introduced H.R. – the Climate Action Now Act. This bill, if passed, will ensure that the US holds to our commitment in the Paris Climate Agreement and cut carbon emissions by up to 28% by 2025 and spur needed action on climate.
Cara Cook, Climate Change Program Coordinator with the Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments and a nurse, issued the following statement:
“Nurses around the country, and world, are already seeing the health impacts of climate change and increased carbon emissions. We care for those on the frontlines whose health is negatively affected by climate change. Climate change contributes to worsening of asthma and chronic respiratory conditions; death, injury, and illness related to extreme heat and extreme weather events; and increased risk of vector-borne diseases, such as Zika and Lyme disease.
As nurses, we recognize climate change as the most pressing public health challenge facing us today. We applaud the leadership of the House of Representatives for recognizing the urgency with which the US must act, by introducing HR 9 – the Climate Action Now Act. We call on our elected officials to support continued advancement of US commitments as part of the Paris Climate Agreement.”
“The health of all Americans and our future generations depends on bold action to address climate change. The time to act is now.”
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The Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments is the only national nursing organization focused solely on environmental health issues. The mission of the Alliance is to promote healthy people and healthy environments by educating and leading the nursing profession, advancing research, incorporating evidence-based practice, and influencing policy.
