Doctors for the Environment Australia has criticised the federal government's 2035 emissions reduction target for failing to meet the scale of the problem we face under dangerous climate change, putting communities across Australia at risk of more deaths and illness.
DEA's Executive Director Dr Kate Wylie says, "Meeting the challenges of climate change is the most important health intervention our government can take, but today it has failed to deliver on that responsibility.
"This target of 62-70% by 2035 is not enough to protect the health of Australians nor that of the environment upon which we all depend.
"It is incongruous that a mere three days after the government releases the National Climate Risk Assessment a target is set that will not protect Australians from climate harms nor is aligned with the scientific imperative. Considering it is also a mere six days since the final approval of the North West Shelf extension, one can't help but wonder whose interests are being served here.
"Climate change is an immediate and direct threat, which is why health and medical groups in Australia and around the world see it as a Climate Health Emergency
"Robust, urgent and science-based emission reduction targets are crucial for climate stability that we all need for our health and wellbeing."
"This week's sobering National Climate Risk Assessment report clearly spells out the profound impacts climate change is already having, and unless we act now, how we will experience more intensified, multiple and concurrent hazards.
"As the government's report states, heat wave deaths are expected to quadruple in Sydney and Darwin at +3℃ of global heating.
"We'll be seeing more deaths and illness, greater spread of infectious diseases, mental health challenges, inability to adequately respond to disasters, and an increased burden on our GP
services, specialist clinics and hospitals. Other impacts include damage to the environment, economy, insurance and national security.
"When will our government accept its ethical responsibility to put the health of the nation ahead of coal and gas exports?"
DEA's Chair, Professor Nick Talley, says, "The Government has acknowledged that climate change is a big problem, yet it continues to support fossil fuel projects that are the main drivers of climate pollution.
"The government's approval of the North West Shelf Extension that will allow gas processing at the Burrup Hub until 2070, the approval of the Ulan coal mine and other fossil fuel projects shows this duplicity.
"As a doctor this double standard would be akin to me treating a patient's COPD with puffers and oxygen, whilst still strongly encouraging them to smoke tobacco. Such behaviour would be contrary to the principles of proper patient care and is unethical.
"Our neighbours in the Pacific already experience immense health harms, their lands are drowning under a rising ocean, with impacts on food and water security and quite literally loss of country. As Australia seeks to host COP in partnership with the Pacific, how can they set a target that does not protect these countries?
"The government has a duty of care to the people of Australia to put their health first. This means moving us away from fossil fuels and embracing clean power."
The Australian Government has legislated an emissions reduction target of 43% below 2005 levels by 2030.
Under the Paris Agreement, Australia as a signatory country is required to submit a Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), including a new emissions reduction target, every five years. Australia has to submit its 2035 climate target this year.
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