Informative Speech On Climate Change

Thanks for your informative post on the public health issue of climate change. Gordis (2014) states that a fundamental role of public health is surveillance. As nurses we play a vital role in advocating for initiatives that reduces environmentally harmful practices to promote health and well-being (Canadian Nurse Association, 2017). The Canadian Nurses Association (2017) believes that, as changes in our climate continue worldwide, nurses have a role in working toward eliminating social inequities; by supporting environmental preservation and restoration.

Actor Leonardo DiCaprio is a United Nations peace messenger, I saw his climate summit speech a few years ago. This speech was very empowering and moving and I would like to share some highlights of this speech. I also highly recommend viewing this speech, if you have not already done so. This is the link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ka6_3TJcCkA

Droughts are intensifying, our oceans are warming and acidifying, with methane plumes rising from beneath the ocean floor. We are seeing extreme weather events, increased temperatures, and the West Antarctic and Greenland ice-sheets melting at unprecedented rates, decades ahead of scientific projections” (The Guardian, 2014.)

DiCaprio urged the United Nations that now is the time for action, to put a price tag on carbon emissions, and eliminate government subsidies for coal, gas, and oil companies. “Urging the end of the free ride that industrial polluters have been given in the name of a free-market economy. For the economy itself will die if our ecosystems collapse” (The Guardian,