Nursing and Planetary Health: Learning from the Plant Metaphor for Environmental Justice

Area of Science:

• Environmental Health
• Nursing Science
• Philosophy of Science

Background:

• Critiques of anthropocentrism and the Anthropocene highlight significant environmental and climate impacts.
• Civilizing hybris, or excessive human pride, contributes to unsustainable practices.
• The current paradigm necessitates a re-evaluation of humanity's relationship with the planet.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the connection between nursing as a social practice and the concept of planetary health.
• To examine the influence of civilizing hybris and introduce a plant metaphor as a conceptual framework.
• To challenge existing anthropocentric viewpoints within professional practice.

Main Methods:

• A theoretical-conceptual discussion was employed, drawing on critiques of anthropocentrism and the Anthropocene.
• The study proposes a plant metaphor, inspired by Stefano Mancuso's work, as a novel perspective.
• This approach aims to reframe the nursing role in addressing complex environmental challenges and overcoming civilizing hybris.

Main Results:

• Nursing, recognized as a social practice, holds significant potential for advancing environmental justice.
• The profession is crucial in developing expanded actions that contribute to improved planetary health.
• The discussion highlights nursing's capacity to foster a more sustainable and equitable relationship with the environment.

Conclusions:

• Adopting a plant metaphor offers a transformative lens for both worldview and professional nursing practice.
• This metaphorical shift can guide cooperative and non-exploitative approaches to planetary care.
• It encourages a move away from anthropocentric dominance towards a more integrated ecological perspective.