Rita Collins, RN, spoke at rally on Capitol Hill Thursday in support of the Off Fossil Fuels for a Better Future Act (OFF Act), which will put the United States on a pathway to replace fossil fuels with 100 percent clean energy generation and use by 2035. National Nurses United is one of nearly 400 environmental justice, clean energy, and climate change organizations that have endorsed the bill.

“We understand that public health is directly affected by climate change.  Whether it is increased incidence of asthma and respiratory illnesses, extreme weather events that devastate lives, or a range of other problems, nurses are climate first responders, Collins said. “Nurses across the country understand that we are entering a climate emergency with grave effects on public health and safety and the future of society as a whole.