Potter appointed to new National Academies’ climate initiative

Clinical Professor Teddie Potter, PhD, RN, FAAN, FNAP, who serves as the director of planetary health for the School of Nursing, was appointed to the inaugural advisory committee of Climate Crossroads, a major climate initiative from the U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine.

For decades, the National Academies have studied climate issues and advised policymakers and organizations on approaches to build resilience, decarbonize, and explore new or emerging solutions to complex and interconnected challenges.

“Nurses’ expertise in systems thinking, our empathy for vulnerable individuals and communities and our status as the most trusted profession position us to not just be at the table, but lead the work to improve the health of our people and planet,” says Potter. 

Potter’s extensive background in nursing, climate change, and climate and health advocacy will assist in guiding the work of the National Academies’ new climate initiative.

“The National Academies are committed to marshaling the deep and broad expertise that this moment demands,” says Amanda Staudt, PhD, Climate Crossroads director. “Climate Crossroads will support our capacity to help prepare society for current and future challenges and opportunities in the context of climate change, including by allowing us to proactively identify emerging needs, initiate activities quickly, and sustain leadership over decades to come.”

Learn more about the goals and vision of the Climate Crossroads initiative on the National Academies website.