Feelin Hott Hott Hott

BLog #23

• Climate change is predicted to have multiple effects. Are you prepared, as a nurse, to address the effects that are likely to be experienced in your community?
• As a nurse in a seaside community, I myself am prepared for excessive rain, flooding and the potential for the waters to rise for an extended period. As a nurse I can ask, encourage and give resources for weather related climate changes. Helping to educate patients on temperature increases and how to stay safe.
• Are there ways in which the nursing community can use our trusted voices about health to strengthen climate change policies and practices?
• Nurses within the community I feel can make positive changes; and help encourage policy makers to endorse these practices. In the process of purchase our new home, we were told that new communities build in 2020 will require Solar panels to be installed. Although not be given the choice to chose what goes on my home, this required will in time be beneficial to the environment and is another step that CA is taking to protect our environment.
• Encouraging patient to be careful with energy consumption, as in the last post dispose of waste in responsible ways, use reusable bags and consume only what you need.

In the News

     According to an article published 17 April by Climate Central Humanities greenhouse gases have made our world hotter; across the United States warming is damaging public health, stressing food and water supplies and shifting season and ecosystems. In the article it lists states that have seen temperature increases from 1970 to 2018. On the top of the list is Las Vegas who has seen a 5.76 temperature increase, El Paso has seen a 4.74 temperature increase and Tucson has seen a 4.48 increase. A place closer to a home I use to have was ranked 10th. Las Cruces NM has seen a 4.01 temperature increase. New Mexico is actually in the top 10 fastest warming states in the US, ranked 2nd it has seen an overall increase of 3.32 temperature increase

     Just the other day here in Monterey we hit 78 and I couldn't help but think that it felt really warm (I've only lived here for 2 years, but have never felt warm). I wasn't the only one, everyone on shift that day was making mention of it. Here in CA we have seen our far share of wild fires and with temperatures rising and impacting climate change by region; action needs to be taken.