This special topics series focuses on climate change and maternal child health. Three articles describe the impact of climate change on women's reproductive and pregnancy outcomes, children's respiratory health, and eco-anxiety in children. Researchers are discovering the negative impact of climate to the vulnerable populations of women, infants, and children. We hope the articles provide useful strategies for practice and inspire you to engage in advocacy efforts to mitigate climate change for the health of our patients and planet.

Climate change is considered the greatest health threat humans face (World Health Organization, 2021) and has been linked specifically to poor neonatal, pediatric, and maternal health outcomes. Researchers are discovering the negative impact on climate to the already vulnerable populations of women, infants, and children. There is evidence that current and future children will suffer a far greater burden of disease associated with climate change. Women, and particularly pregnant women, are more prone adverse health effects attributed to climate change. Health risks are higher for women, infants, and children who experience social determinants of health with barriers to good health and well-being. Without actions to mitigate climate change, maternal and child health will suffer. This special topics series focuses on climate change and women's reproductive and pregnancy outcomes, the impact of climate on children's respiratory health and, finally, anxiety related to climate change.

In their article on reproductive health and pregnancy outcomes, Chalupka, Trombley, and Latter outline the immediate and lifelong health threats of climate change to pregnant women, their newborn babies, and future generations. They offer strategies for maternal-child nurses to help their patients understand how climate change impacts health from preconception through childhood. McDermott-Levy, Pennea, and Moore explore the threat of climate change to children's respiratory health, specifically asthma. Because asthma is the most common chronic disease among children worldwide, nurses must be equipped to implement individualized care plans that consider environmental factors in asthma management. They share resources and guidance for developing customized asthma action plans. Rasmussen puts forward the topic of eco-anxiety, an emerging mental health issue concerning fear and uncertainty associated with climate change. Rasmussen reminds readers that current guidelines recommend screening all children aged 8 and over for anxiety. As more children are experiencing eco-anxiety, this article provides tools that nurses and parents can use to help children manage their fears.

We hope you can immediately use this information in your practice. We hope the authors have inspired you to engage in advocacy efforts to mitigate climate change. For the health of our patients, nurses working in maternal child settings have a responsibility to respond to climate change. Learn more about climate change advocacy by becoming a Climate for Health Ambassador. Ambassador training, developed by the Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments and EcoAmerica Climate for Health, is free and available in an online format with continuing education credits awarded (Climate for Health, 2022). Nurses who complete the training are better prepared for climate actions that protect our health and our planet. Engaging in climate action contributes to better health and wellbeing of women and children now and in the future.

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