Call for papers

Special issue: “Nursing for a Healthy Planet and People”

Closing date: 1st February 2024

More Information: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/page/journal/13652648/homepage/call-for-papers/healthy-planet

The impacts of climate change are being observed and experienced globally, and it is expected that they will intensify in the coming decades. The effects on health are significant, ranging from worsening of chronic conditions to fatalities resulting from extreme events. These wide-ranging impacts on health make climate change a nursing issue. Nurses are well positioned to respond to climate change by working to mitigate greenhouse gas pollution, adapting to changing conditions, conducting research on the health effects of climate change, transforming healthcare delivery to be climate-resilient, educating professionals, patients, and communities, and advocating for environmentally-sound health policies through an equity lens.

Addressing the impacts of climate change on health and healthcare systems requires coordinated efforts to reduce the vulnerability of people and natural ecosystems that support livelihoods, while also addressing societal problems such as poverty, racism, and gender inequality. Furthermore, the complex and interconnected nature of climate change demands interdisciplinary, cross-sectoral, and multi-scale approaches to develop equitable, inclusive, transparent, accountable, and culturally-appropriate solutions to address climate-related impacts on health.

The impact of healthcare systems on carbon emissions and climate change intensification requires collaborative solutions that involve all stakeholders without hierarchical constraints. These solutions should be developed, implemented, and evaluated with the active participation of healthcare workers, patients, and communities. Sharing best practices at local and global levels can support the development and promotion of low-carbon solutions that prioritise climate change mitigation, adaptation, and resilience across all levels of society while being mindful of equity and social inclusion.

Transitioning to renewable energy and building climate-resilient buildings are important steps to decarbonize the healthcare sector. However, investing in the education and capacity of the healthcare workforce is equally critical, as they are best equipped to understand healthcare delivery and patient outcomes. The nursing profession can play a vital role in climate change response actions by working at all levels of healthcare, from bedside to policy and governance, reducing vulnerabilities of the most at-risk groups, and developing scalable solutions that can be monitored and evaluated for progress.

Innovative approaches such as low-carbon models of care and digital health solutions can help support knowledge-based climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts. By working together, healthcare stakeholders can lead the way in promoting low-carbon solutions, supporting vulnerable populations, and addressing the complex challenges of climate change in a manner that is equitable, inclusive, and culturally appropriate.

For this special issue, we invite submissions from all nursing disciplines that demonstrate a strong commitment to climate change through research, education, advocacy, and nursing practice. We seek articles that focus on care decisions related to climate-impacted health conditions, climate-impacted healthcare delivery and access, sustainable healthcare, reducing poverty, community adaptation, and community resilience to climate change.

We also welcome submissions from nurses collaborating with other disciplines in climate-sensitive sectors, such as agriculture, forestry, fishing, and tourism. We encourage articles that highlight nursing’s role in improving health outcomes through collaborations with building industry, protecting biodiversity and critical ecosystems, such as eroding coastlines, and ensuring food, water, and energy security. Additionally, we are interested in articles that explore the economic impacts of climate change on nursing care and health, including forecasting.

We believe that addressing the complex challenges of climate change requires a multidisciplinary approach. Therefore, we encourage submissions that promote collaboration and highlight the essential role that nurses can play in creating sustainable solutions for the benefit of all.

We welcome papers that align with the manuscript categories outlined in the Journal of Advanced Nursing

Author Guidelines:

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/page/journal/13652648/homepage/forauthors.html#manuscript

How to submit:

  1. Carefully follow the instructions for submission outlined in the Author Guidelines.
  2. When your paper is ready, go to our manuscript submission site and select “Nursing for a Healthy Planet and People” from the dropdown menu for the “Special Issue” item of the section labelled “Step 1: Type, Title, & Abstract.”
  3. Select the relevant article type and follow the steps required.

 

The Guest Editors for this issue are:

Associate Professor Zerina Lokmic-Tomkins, Ph.D., MNSc, BSc (Hons), RN, Monash University, Australia

Dr Elizabeth Schenk, AVP, Environmental Stewardship, Providence, Assistant Research Professor, Washington State University College of Nursing

Dr Jung Jae Lee, PhD, RN, Assistant Professor, Associate Programme Director, Master of Nursing, International Relations Coordinator, School of Nursing, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong

Professor  Calvin R Moorley, RN, PhD, Chair of Diversity & Social Justice, Institute of Health and Social Care/ Adult Nursing, London South Bank University.