Devasting Floods highlight need for urgent climate change action
Recent floods have tragically highlighted climate change dangers and added urgency for more to be done to mitigate and adapt to the impacts of climate change, the AMA said recently.
AMA President Dr Omar Khorshid said the widespread devastating floods in Queensland and New South Wales and the lasting impacts of the 2019-20 bushfires were more proof that climate change is increasingly impacting the lives of millions of Australians and is directly affecting people’s health.
“Direct and indirect health impacts of floods in NSW and Queensland include community mental impacts, risks of gastrointestinal infections from tainted and unsafe drinking water, drownings, rising risks of contracting COVID-19, and of course the impacts of a lack of access to medications and medical services experienced by displaced communities,” Dr Khorshid said.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) last week released its sixth assessment report on climate change, highlighting slow responses or the inability of governments and institutions to effectively respond to climate change impacts and events.
“More needs to be done to meet the challenges of climate change. There are practical and tangible things Australia must do to mitigate and adapt to the impacts of climate change,” Dr Khorshid said.
Dr Khorshid said the AMA has called for immediate practical action, across the economy and including the healthcare sector, to start tackling climate change while graphic images of the devastating floods are demanding public attention.
Doctors Health Service has a telehealth service specifically for doctors and medical students who are struggling with their mental health during crises. This is a 24/7, free and confidential service - call 1300 374377.
Full media release here.
