Media Release 1 April 2019
Without action on climate change – Australia's health budget is at risk
To protect the health and well-being of all Australians, and to prevent cost blow outs, future budgets must include a commitment to action on climate change –the Climate and Health Alliance says.
The Climate and Health Alliance is calling for the federal government to allocate appropriate funding and resources to address the current and growing risks that climate change poses to public health.
Fiona Armstrong, Executive Director of the Climate and Health Alliance, said the federal government must fund effective policy to address the health impacts of climate change:
"The members of the Climate and Health Alliance are already witnessing the very real and often devastating effects of climate change. Extreme weather events such as the floods and fires, as well as worsening pollution and allergens in the air, are increasingly impacting the health and well-being of Australians and leading to an impending public health emergency."
"Hospitals in Qld are being overwhelmed by unprecedented demand as the long hot summer takes its toll on the vulnerable, the elderly and those with chronic illnesses.
"Without comprehensive policy, and adequate funding for effective action we will see more ill-health and greater costs to public health services."
"There is potential for good news from this. With funding and effective policy, climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies will both reduce emissions, and decrease the social and economic burden of ill-health in the Australian community."
The Climate and Health Alliance has developed a Framework for a National Strategy for Climate, Health and Well-being, and is calling on all federal politicians to show leadership in protecting the health and well-being of Australian communities by supporting this roadmap for federal policy.
