I am writing concerning the article "Nurses and Climate Action" (Environments and Health, April), about how nurses and nursing leaders can help the environment and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This is a topic that is greatly overlooked. In my eight years of experience, no institution I have been with has mentioned hospital-generated pollution being a problem, although it is.

The article highlights many helpful things that nurses can do individually and with others at work and at home to help address climate change. These are all great actions to take; however, the main thing nurses and leaders need is education. There is a lack of education on this topic, and education is the crucial key to understanding the risks of climate change and the benefits of decreasing hospital pollution and waste.

We need to commit to education on every level, whether on a hospital unit or in the White House, if we are going to save our planet and continue to sustain life. Taking action is the job of all leaders, including nurses. Nursing leaders can start with a small group and help lessen a large hospital's impact on the environment through small acts, growing in number over time. This is not only a patient safety issue, but also a worldwide one.

Amber Paliani, BSN, RN

Melissa, TX