AMA Calls on Government To Warm To Kyoto Protocol
The AMA is today calling on the Australian Government to ratify and implement the Kyoto Protocol in the interests of human health.
AMA President, Dr Glasson, said today that the Kyoto Protocol won't fix all the problems caused by climate change but it is a significant, united international effort to undo some of the damage that's already been done.
"Human health is linked to the health of the planet and the environment," Dr Glasson said.
"The health of poorer communities who have only basic infrastructure will be at greatest risk in the event of environmental change caused by global warming.
"Australia must act in the interests of countries who are less well off and less able to advocate on their own behalf - and in the longer term interests of all Australians.
"The Kyoto Protocol aims to reverse the harmful changes in our environment.
"We must reduce greenhouse gas emissions now, or we'll be facing big global public health problems," Dr Glasson said.
In Australia and the region, global warming will cause increased mortality and illness rates from:
- water-borne and food-borne diseases,
- heat-related illness,
- vector-borne and rodent-borne diseases,
- food and water shortages,
- population displacement,
- and new patterns of disease transmission.
The AMA has commissioned a research paper that will assess evidence of the actual health-risk consequences caused by climate change.
16 February 2005
CONTACT: Judith Tokley (02) 6270 5471 / (0408) 824 306