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Alum addresses climate change as a nurse and psychologist

Nancy Chaney, a registered nurse and climate activist, completed her Bachelor of Science in Psychology in 1979—her second undergraduate degree from Boise State. She went on to obtain a Master of Science in Environmental Science from the University of Idaho in 2002, after which she served two terms as the mayor of Moscow, Idaho.

Most recently, she joined the American Psychological Association Task Force on Climate Change. In February 2022, the 12-member task force published a detailed report with recommendations for how social scientists and the association can contribute to the fight against the climate crisis.

“My background is in nursing, psychology, and environmental science, so this feels like a perfect fit. I am excited to work with a diverse group of professionals from around the world, to address something as important as the climate crisis. It’s a complex challenge that warrants an integrated, broad-based approach,” Chaney said.