The relationship between environmental literacy and climate change awareness of nurses working in pediatric clinics

Climate change has emerged as a global crisis that poses significant threats to human health across physical, social, and psychological domains. Children are considered among the most vulnerable populations due to their physiological sensitivity, developmental dependence on caregivers, and heightened susceptibility to temperature fluctuations. The International Council of Nurses has underscored the critical role of nurses in both preventing and mitigating the adverse effects of climate change. In parallel, the World Health Organization has emphasized the necessity of enhancing climate change awareness among healthcare professionals, particularly those working in pediatric care.

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between environmental literacy and climate change awareness among nurses employed in pediatric clinics.

A cross-sectional descriptive design was employed. Data were collected between September 13 and October 15, 2024, from a sample of 148 nurses working in the pediatric departments of two public hospitals in Istanbul, Türkiye. The instruments used included a "Descriptive Characteristics Form," the "Climate Change Awareness Scale," and the "Environmental Literacy Scale for Adults."

A moderate, statistically significant positive correlation was identified between the nurses' levels of environmental literacy and their awareness of climate change (p < 0.05). Furthermore, climate change awareness was significantly influenced by both environmental literacy and the length of professional experience in pediatric nursing.

This study demonstrates a meaningful association between environmental literacy and climate change awareness among pediatric nurses. The findings highlight that both environmental literacy and tenure in pediatric clinical practice contribute to enhanced awareness of climate change. Accordingly, it is recommended that topics such as environmental health, sustainability, climate change, and its implications for human health be integrated into nursing curricula. Moreover, these subjects should be embedded within orientation programs for newly hired nurses and included in institutional in-service training initiatives.