Born and raised in Santiago, Chile, Claudia Zúñiga always knew she wanted to serve others—and nursing was the perfect way to do it. Her career began in a maternity unit, where she assisted with childbirth and postpartum care before transitioning to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Rising to the role of NICU nurse manager, she embraced the challenge but soon sought a broader impact.
In 2012, she became the quality management nurse at Clínica Alemana de Santiago, a 450-bed hospital, working alongside nursing director Maritza Navea to unify the nursing team through new processes and projects. Little did she know, her next mission would extend far beyond hospital walls—into the fight against climate change.
A Climate Awakening: Connecting Health and the Environment
Zúñiga’s awareness of climate change grew as her hospital saw a rise in climate-related health emergencies—dehydration, severe sunburns, and respiratory issues. But the turning point came in 2019, when Chile was set to host the UN Climate Change Conference (COP 25). Though civil unrest forced the event to relocate, the national conversation left a lasting impact.
“The media coverage made people more conscious—especially me and my team,” she recalls.
She also confronted a hard truth: hospitals are major polluters. “We use enormous amounts of energy, gas, and water. We generate tons of waste, especially in surgical rooms.” Determined to act, she made environmental health a core part of her mission.
Leading a Hospital-Wide Climate Movement
Zúñiga didn’t just raise awareness—she mobilized her entire nursing department to join the Nurses Climate Challenge. Recognizing that language could be a barrier, she translated materials into Spanish and encouraged colleagues to propose climate-smart solutions.
“This challenge belongs to everyone,” she insisted. “Hospitals are big polluters, so our actions can make a real difference.”
Her efforts reached 1,400+ health professionals through trainings and public events. The response was overwhelming: nurses didn’t just listen—they took action at home, adopting recycling, reducing waste, and conserving energy.
Beyond the Hospital: Inspiring Change in Daily Life
Seeing her colleagues embrace sustainability inspired Zúñiga to expand her efforts. She created a private Instagram group where nurses could share eco-friendly home improvements. She even got her 6-year-old son involved, teaching him to reduce their family’s footprint through small daily tasks.
“The most valuable thing is seeing real changes in people’s lives,” she says. “The impact goes beyond the clinic—it’s creating a movement.”
A Nurse’s Urgent Message: “We All Must Act”
For Zúñiga, climate action isn’t optional—it’s a global responsibility.
“The effort must belong to everyone. We are all responsible for mitigating climate change,” she says. Her work proves that nurses—trusted, frontline health professionals—are uniquely positioned to lead this charge.
From hospital policies to household habits, Zúñiga’s mission is clear: healing patients means healing the planet too.
Why This Matters
Zúñiga’s story shows how one nurse’s vision can ignite systemic change. By bridging clinical care and environmental advocacy, she’s proving that healthcare’s role isn’t just to treat illness—but to prevent it at its root.
As she puts it: “Real change starts with us.”
