The event ‘Public Health Nurses in Mitigating the Effects of Climate Change’ was organized by the Üsküdar Üniversitesi Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Nursing. At the event held in the Çarşı Campus Salacak Meeting Hall, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Nursing Assist. Prof. Dr. Emine Ekici made evaluations on the topic 'Climate Change and Its Effects on Health, The Role of Nurses in Mitigating the Effects of Climate Change'. Assist. Prof. Dr. Emine Ekici; “Maintaining a safe environment, ensuring access to clean air, clean drinking water, and protecting these resources are extremely important.” she said.
“Extinction of living species is at stake”
Assist. Prof. Dr. Emine Ekici, drawing attention to the impact of human activities on climate change and the consequences of these impacts, said: “With climate change, our universe is facing a series of disasters. The depletion of the ozone layer, reduction in biodiversity, soil degradation, and problems in food production systems significantly affect the future of the world, the lives of all living beings, and human health. Especially due to the increase in greenhouse gas emissions caused by human activities such as fossil fuel use, consumption activities, and industrialization, there are degradations in the ecosystem arising from temperature changes, and the extinction of living species is at stake.”
“Migrations, social problems emerge”
Discussing the consequences of climate change on people, Assist. Prof. Dr. Emine Ekici emphasized the importance of what needs to be done at this point. Ekici said: “There is an increase in the incidence of infectious and non-infectious diseases in humans. Additionally, due to increases in the frequency and severity of extreme weather events such as floods, forest fires, and storms, there is an increase in deaths, injuries, and vector-borne diseases. In this way, migrations and social problems arise. Therefore, maintaining a safe environment, ensuring access to clean air, clean drinking water, and protecting these resources are extremely important.”
“Our carbon footprint needs to be minimized”
Speaking about the impact of carbon footprints on the Earth's surface temperature, Assist. Prof. Dr. Emine Ekici said: “The World Meteorological Organization announced that the average surface temperature in 2020 was 1-2 degrees higher than the pre-industrial period. Scientists state that a 1.5-degree increase in temperature causes serious risks. For this very reason, the carbon released into the atmosphere must be reduced, and our carbon footprint must be minimized.”
“Topics need to be strengthened”
Making suggestions for nurses to contribute to the fight against global climate change at national and individual levels, Assist. Prof. Dr. Emine Ekici said: “The International Council of Nurses (ICN) states that nurses can contribute to the fight against global climate change at national and individual levels. Advocating for waste management policies to reduce healthcare waste, ensuring the safety and protection of healthcare workers. Actively working in environmental health committees for the management of health services and the regulation of the healthcare environment, and strengthening topics such as individuals, families, and communities making healthy lifestyle choices, reducing greenhouse gas contributions, changing their own practices, active transportation, using green energy, and dietary changes are needed.”