The Canadian Nurses Association [CNA] believes that the public expects nurses to be aware of and know how to promote Canadians’ health in the context of environmental health issues. This is accomplished through nurses’ roles in clinical practice, education, research, administration and policy (CNA, 2017). Eco-literacy in nursing education focuses on the impact of climate change to human health, and the impacts are growing. In B.C. alone, we only need to consider a deadly heatwave that took the lives of over 600 people, seasonal wildfires, and atmospheric river devastation. Listen as Megan reveals her work with planetary health and the considerations nurses can adopt.
Megan Tomlinson is a Registered Nurse residing on the Unceded Traditional Territory of the K’ómoks First Nation. She is passionate about the protection of the natural world and is a member of the Canadian Association of Nurses for the Environment, including the BC chapter. In addition to her work as a community nurse, Megan is a yoga practitioner with a special interest in creating low barrier spaces and increased access to the healing modality of yoga.
References:
Canadian Nurses Association. (2017). Nurses and Environmental Health Position Statement. Ottawa: Author.
https://cne-aiie.ca
https://cane-aiie.ca/bc/
https://www.cna-aiic.ca/en/policy-advocacy/policy-support-tools/position-statements
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