Nurses, Faith, and Climate Change
1Emma L. Kurnat-Thoma, PhD, MS, RN, FAAN , is an Affiliate at Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security (GIWPS), Walsh School of Foreign Service, Georgetown University, Washington DC, and CEO and Founder of Precision Policy Solutions, LLC. She is an NIH-trained scientist with 28 years of experience in government, science, policy, regulatory, education, health system, and clinical nursing settings. Dr. Kurnat-Thoma has 18 years of Catholic lay leader and liturgical ministry experience, was a volunteer in the U.S. Papal Visit 2015 Canonization Mass of Blessed Junipero Serra, and served in the Catholic Church's 2021-2024 Synod at parish, diocesan, and continental levels.
Abstract:
Climate change is the single largest health threat facing the world today. Understanding the scientific and socioeconomic root causes of the global climate crisis is critical to helping nurses mediate the impacts of climate change and social inequity. This article explores climate change and current efforts to counter the growing global climate crisis. Christian moral justice teachings from the Catholic Church's extensive social teaching efforts are summarized, including the far-reaching papal encyclicals Laudato Si and Laudato Deum by Pope Francis, now championed by Pope Leo. Pope Leo XIV. Practical application to nursing is made using clinical examples and the 2025 Code of Ethics for Nurses.
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