Addressing th public health impacts of climate change
Climate change a threat to public health
If we do nothing to reduce greenhouse gas pollution, by the end of this century heat-related illnesses could kill thousands of people every year and the climate in Brisbane and Sydney could become suitable for dengue fever transmission, according to a joint report released by ACF and the Australian Medical Association...
The report, Climate Change Health Impacts in Australia: Effects of dramatic CO2 emission reductions, says if we continue to allow emissions to increase, by 2100:
* 8,000 -15,000 Australians could die every year from heat-related illnesses, and
* the dengue transmission zone could reach as far south as Sydney.
In contrast, early and significant action to reduce greenhouse pollution would have major health benefits.
The figure for projected premature heat-related deaths to 2100 could be halved, and while the zone for potential dengue transmission is likely to move south to Rockhampton or Gympie, it would stay north of more heavily populated south-east Queensland, coastal NSW and metropolitan Sydney.
AMA President, Dr Mukesh Haikerwal, and ACF President, Professor Ian Lowe, launched the report in Canberra on 22 September.
Dr Haikerwal and Professor Lowe spoke at the report launch, saying climate change was real, was dangerous and would affect health on a scale not previously encountered by human society. They said coordinated action from government, business and the community to reduce greenhouse gas and air pollution would have major health benefits for Australia and the world.
Report co-authors Dr Rosalie Woodruff (from the National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health at the Australian National University) and Dr Simon Hales (from the Department of Public Health, Wellington School of Medicine, University of Otago, New Zealand) spoke about the report's findings, while ACF's Sustainability Programs Manager Erwin Jackson explained how early action was necessary to prevent dangerous climate change.
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