Abstract: Climate change is the single largest health threat facing the world today. Understanding the scientific and socioeconomic root causes of the global climate crisis is critical to helping nurses mediate the impacts of climate change and social inequity. This article explores climate change and current efforts to counter the growing global climate crisis. Christian moral justice teachings from the Catholic Church's extensive social teaching efforts are summarized, including the far-reaching papal encyclicals Laudato Si and Laudato Deum by Pope Francis, now championed by Pope Leo. Pope Leo XIV. Practical application to nursing is made using clinical examples and the 2025 Code of Ethics for Nurses.
Emma L. Kurnat‐Thoma (2026) studied this question.