Australia Must Show Leadership on Climate Change Policy

The AMA today joined with the Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF) in calling on the Government to lead the way on climate change by ratifying and implementing the Kyoto Protocol.

Dr Glasson said Australia should implement a National Greenhouse Policy that engages all Australians in ensuring that we meet the Kyoto target and start to dramatically cut our greenhouse pollution.

"Climate change is not an extremist issue," Dr Glasson said.

"Our concerns are shared by farmers, conservationists, scientists, meteorologists, the churches, and all Australians who love the great outdoors, our beaches and our once-reliable weather patterns.

"And it is evident that our weather patterns are changing, just like in other parts of the world.

"A little over a week ago, Sydney experienced a hailstorm reminiscent of the disastrous storm of 1999 that caused over a billion dollars worth of damage.

"Parts of Australia are experiencing the worst drought in 100 years.  Mandatory water restrictions are in place in almost all mainland states and territories.

"Recent floods in Bangladesh have caused $8 billion worth of damage.

"Just weeks after Hurricane Charley devastated Florida, Hurricane Frances last week tore through Florida leaving 6 million people without power, and fuel in short supply.

"Closer to home, Pacific Island states such as Tuvalu and Kiribati are under serious threat of environmental collapse.  They have begun discussions with their neighbours, including Australia and New Zealand, to move their whole populations across if they become unsustainable.

"These are serious events and issues."

Supporters for climate change policy are many and varied, with even the most reluctant now joining the chorus.  They include:

The Bush Administration, which has finally agreed that human activity has largely been responsible for recent global warming. This recognition was contained in a report to Congress singed by the Secretaries of Energy and Commerce and the President's Science Adviser.

South Australian Premier, Mike Rann, has stated that he believes that climate change posed a greater risk to Australia than global warming.

Russian President, Vladimir Putin, has declared Russia intends to ratify the Kyoto protocol, although he did not set a date for this.  Kyoto cannot come into force unless countries responsible for 55 percent of rich nations' greenhouse gas emissions ratify it. Kyoto has reached 44 percent and Russia's 17 per cent will tip the balance without Washington's 36 per cent.

New South Wales Premier, Bob Carr, has called for the first Bill to pass through Federal Parliament after the election to be the legislation to ratify the Kyoto Protocol.

Fijian Prime Minister, Laisenia Qarase, has called on Australia to think of our common heritage in the Pacific Ocean and sign on for the Kyoto Protocol.

Dr Glasson said Australia should set an example to the rest of the world and lead the way in addressing climate change.

"We must act now to protect the environment and guard against new health threats that will emerge from dramatic climate change.

"If we are faced with extreme temperatures and weather, we will see 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.

"Progressive climate change policy is commonsense and the responsible thing to do.

"We owe it to future generations to leave behind a sustainable and healthy environment," Dr Glasson said.

In May 2004, the AMA Federal Council endorsed an AMA Position Statement on Climate Change and Health.  It can be found on the AMA website at /

The AMA's position on Climate Change and Health is also summarised in AMA Key Health Issues for the 2004 Federal Election (see attached or go to the website).

14 September 2004

CONTACT:                        John Flannery                        (02) 6270 5477 / (0419) 494 761

                        Judith Tokley                         (02) 6270 5471 / (0408) 824 306

 

Public Health

 

4.2            Climate Change and Health

Background

Climate change as projected by climatologists will have a major impact on human health on a scale not previously encountered by human society.

Human induced climate change is one of the most intensely debated issues of our time.

On the balance of available evidence it is clear that human activities - predominantly the burning of fossil fuels (such as oil, coal and gas) and changes in land cover due to deforestation- have contributed to recent global changes in climate.

Key Issues for Patients

Health impacts may entail increased mortality rates from existing diseases.

Even minor changes in climactic conditions in our region of the world will have extreme consequences.  We face increased mortality rates from existing diseases and an increase in heat related illness. We could also see a change in patterns of disease transmission

The potential health impact of climate change in Australia includes temperature extremes; extreme weather; water- and food-borne diseases; vector-borne and rodent-borne diseases; food and water shortages; and population displacement.

Key Issues for Governments

Failure to commit to reducing greenhouse gas emissions has the potential to cause significant global public health problems

An effective emissions control program could be instituted without having a negative impact on the Australian economy.  This can best be achieved by combining energy conservation with new alternative technologies that would reduce dependency on fossil fuels.

The Government has indicated it will not ratify the Kyoto Protocol.  The Opposition has indicated it will ratify the Kyoto Protocol.

AMA Position

The AMA calls on the Federal Government to ratify and implement the Kyoto protocol.

The AMA believes that the Federal Government should implement a National Greenhouse Policy that engages all Australians in ensuring that we meet the Kyoto target and start to dramatically cut our greenhouse pollution.  The AMA recognises the importance of developing renewable energy sources as a means of affecting global climate change and its health ramifications. The AMA calls on the Federal Government to set a Mandatory Renewable Energy Target (MRET) of 10 per cent by 2010.

The AMA supports research, education, prevention, monitoring, and assessment relating to the public health issues that may arise from climate change.