Washington, DC — Health Care Without Harm (HCWH) is announcing its first-ever Climate Change and Health Contest for Nurses. The contest, which offers a $10,000 grand prize, and an opportunity to present at the annual CleanMed conference, is intended to help encourage nurses to play an active role in mitigating the health threats of climate change through local and national projects.

“As trusted health professionals, nurses can make a difference in how communities, health systems, and governments react to climate change.”

— Eric Lerner, Director, HCWH U.S. Climate Director

The World Health Organization has called climate change “the biggest global health threat of the 21st century.” Nurses are at the front lines of managing health effects of climate change, such as acute asthma attacks, encroaching infectious diseases such as Lyme Disease and Dengue Fever, heat strokes, and injuries from severe weather events. Many nurses have taken on climate change in an activist role in their professions and their communities because they have seen these effects. 

“As trusted health professionals, nurses can make a difference in how communities, health systems, and governments react to climate change,” said Eric Lerner, director of the HCWH Climate program. “Nurses can help communities address and prepare for the health threats associated with climate change, and can help influence public policies that address related issues, such as carbon pollution, and the development of alternative energies.”

“Many nurses are engaged in climate change activities ranging from bike rides to raise awareness to testimony before state legislatures and utility boards,” stated Mary Margaret Thomas, co-chair of the HCWH Nurses Work Group. “Because the nursing profession is so multi-faceted and focused on health promotion, their potential to reach people in all walks of life is unparalleled and makes nurses excellent advocates for climate change solutions.”

The Climate Change and Health contest is open to nurses in the United States and Canada. To apply, nurses describe a project that they are involved in currently that they want to expand, or a new project, that addresses one of three areas: Climate Resiliency and Preparedness, Climate Mitigation, or Climate Leadership. Nurses can participate individually or in groups of five or less.

The deadline for receipt of applications is December 16, 2013.

View complete rules and application.

Health Care Without Harm, an international coalition of more than 500 organizations in 53 countries, is working to transform the health care sector, without compromising patient safety or care, so that it becomes ecologically sustainable and a leading advocate for environmental health and justice. To learn more about HCWH's work, visit our website at www.noharm.org, our YouTube channel at HCwithoutharm, and on Twitter at hcwithoutharm.