School of Nursing at the climate crossroads

Abraham Lincoln established the National Academy of Sciences in 1863, but it took the urgent crisis of climate change for the three National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine to come together. In July 2023, Center Director Teddie Potter, PhD, RN, FAAN, FNAP, was honored to be selected to be an inaugural member of the Climate Crossroads committee of the National Academy of Science, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM).

When she started serving on the Climate Crossroads committee, planetary health was an unfamiliar term to most if not all the other members; but she did not let that stop her. Every topic they discussed found her commenting that a planetary health lens would strengthen the work and advance innovative solutions. She used examples from the School of Nursing’s planetary health curriculum and planetary health research being conducted by the school’s faculty. She talked about the school’s commitment to zero-waste events and sustainable practices. She mentioned the school’s commitment to transdisciplinary partnerships across the University and across the globe. She shared stories of what planetary health means to the school’s students and for the future of nursing.

Planetary health makes sense. Once exposed to the paradigm, people feel hopeful and ready to work together toward a better future. As evidence, Potter was invited to moderate a Planetary Health plenary panel at the Climate Crossroads Summit in July, and next March 1-4, 2025, the National Academy of Medicine will co-host Our Planet, Our Health: 2025 Climate Action Summit in Washington, D.C. Planetary health is on the move and the School of Nursing is leading the way.

From lesson plans to national policies, the School of Nursing’s Center for Planetary Health and Environmental Justice works hard to transform systems and co-create a healthier planet for generations to come.