Justine Sefcik

To me, climate justice means recognizing and addressing the unequal impacts of climate change on different populations, particularly those who are most vulnerable due to social, economic, and health disparities. It extends beyond environmental sustainability to focus on fairness, equity, and the systemic factors that contribute to environmental harm. In gerontological nursing, climate justice is especially relevant because older adults are disproportionately affected by extreme heat, air pollution, and natural disasters, which exacerbate chronic conditions and limit access to essential services. Climate justice also means advocating for policies and practices that prioritize the health and well-being of marginalized communities, ensuring they have the resources to adapt and thrive in a changing climate.

By embedding climate justice into my work, I hope to empower future nurses and scholars to address these pressing issues and contribute to a more just and resilient society. As an educator, researcher, and program director, my work is driven by a commitment to advancing health equity, particularly for older adults. I believe in fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and equipping future nurses and researchers with the skills to address complex health challenges, including those shaped by climate change. My research focuses on how environmental and social factors influence health behaviors and outcomes in aging populations. I am particularly interested in how neighborhood design and access to green spaces impact mobility, mental health, and overall well-being.

While I am new to formal climate justice education, my work in gerontological nursing has intersected with environmental justice in meaningful ways. As Director of the Nursing PhD Program, I am committed to integrating climate justice into nursing education. I plan to develop a course module that situates climate change as a critical determinant of health, equipping students with the knowledge to address environmental health disparities. Additionally, I am interested in engaging with Drexel’s broader climate justice initiatives to build cross-disciplinary collaborations that bring climate justice into nursing education, research, and practice.