FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 11, 2020
Contact:
Cara Cook, Climate & Health Program Manager, ANHE
585.469.2383
cara@envirn.org
Nurses Applaud Senate Leadership to Address Climate & Health
Washington, DC (February 11, 2020) – Today Senator Carper introduced – the Clean Economy Act. Similar to the House companion bill, the 100% Clean Economy Act, this bill would set a goal of achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by no later than 2050. In response to the bill introduction the Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments’ Executive Director, Katie Huffling, MS, RN, CNM, FAAN issued the following statement:
“To adequately address the climate crisis and improve public health, the United States must lead with bold action like the Clean Economy Act. Americans are already experiencing health consequences from climate change. From more intense wildfires and extreme weather events to worsened air quality to increased risk of vector-borne diseases, such as Zika and Lyme disease, climate change is harming people across the nation.”
“Climate change is a public health emergency. The United States must rapidly transition to clean and renewable energy sources to reduce the pollution that is harming communities and to avoid the worst impacts of climate change. Action to address climate change must put the health of the American people at the forefront, ensuring benefits and protections for all communities, especially those most vulnerable to climate impacts.
“The Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments strongly supports the Clean Economy Act and we thank Senator Carper and the 32 other Senate cosponsors for their leadership today in bringing this bill forward. As nurses, we call on elected officials to heed the science and take the necessary action to protect public health from the impacts of climate change.”
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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.
