Climate of the world has been relatively stable for thousands of years. Industrial revolution changed the stability. Human effect on climate change is now apparent. Scientists, clinicians, public health professionals together with general public have called for attention to global warming. Principles they are discussing involve prevention, mitigation, adaptation, and most of all preparedness. Prevention is interwoven with mitigation as the world strives to stabilize, decelerate or even reverse global warming. Adaptation corresponds to preparedness as we anticipate or prepare for the effects of climate change. Economic considerations are critical both in public health and in climate change response. WHO, UN, EU, and other organizations, communities, and individual countries are constantly trying to fight climate change. Whether these endevors are sufficient is discussed in the paper. Their programs and strategies are summarized and analysed together with projections for the future. Special attention is paid to efforts taken in Serbia.
Health care professionals can provide a tremendous contribution, however, they must be given in-depth knowledge of the issues in order to be able to respond adequately. Since nurses are the pillar of health care everywhere, their role is significant. Therefore, we aim to investigate their knowledge on climate change and global warming, and their readiness to gain new knowledge. The results of the research indicate the necessarity of the climate change inclusion in the curriculum of educational institutions and its impact on health to a larger level.
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