Women's Agenda News
More than 40 influential health and medical organisations have come together to deliver a stirring message on climate change, declaring that it’s already killing Australians and calling for a national strategy on climate and health.
Meeting at the Better Futures Forum in Canberra over the weekend, the representatives shared a joint statement calling for a ministerial forum to coordinate across health, climate and other portfolios. They also called for an evaluation of the health and economic damages of climate change (as well as the benefits that can come from climate policies), a national assessment on health vulnerabilities, and the establishment of a Sustainable Healthcare Unit within the Department of Health.
Founder of the Climate and Health Alliance, Fiona Armstrong said on the statement: "We have created a suite of recommendations to prepare and protect people and the health system from the now inevitable impacts of climate change. Our vision is for equitable health and wellbeing, a regenerative economy, and social, environmental and cultural justice."
“Climate change is already killing Australians,” said Armstrong. "The pressure on the health system and our health professionals is immense – all in the middle of a global pandemic. We have created a suite of recommendations to prepare and protect people and the health system from the now inevitable impacts of climate change."