Scientists have already provided solutions to reduce the health risks with some cost-effective interventions," the report said. "The health impacts from heat are largely preventable. The number of days when physical activity would have been suspended due to extreme heat risks more than doubled n 2019 compared with the five-year average between 20, according to the report. The Lancet Countdown 2021 report released last week found that in Australia in 2019, the extreme heat risks from climate change could be measured in mortality, hospital admissions and decreased physical activity. Risk of spreading disease, Nobel laureate warns "I have to admit there are a lot of frustrations but we're seeing more and more engagement with stakeholders, especially in recent years," she said. Climate change is also the greatest health opportunity," University of Sydney epidemiologist Ying Zhang said.Īssociate Professor Zhang, part of the team behind the Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change, said since 2017 there has been growing engagement among different sectors of society - health, economic, politics, community - on understanding climate change from a public health perspective. "Climate change is not all about doom and gloom. It also calls for more support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander initiatives on environmental management and a progressive tax system to fund measures for climate resilience.Īs global warming forces millions to flee, here are the stories of climate refugees Other recommendations include the establishment of a multi-portfolio ministerial committee to oversee the development of a national strategy on climate, health and well-being. It outlines eight recommendations including a more rapid transition to net zero emissions by legislating a 2030 target of 75 per cent reduction in emissions below 2005 levels, reaching net zero by 2035 "as recommended by the best available science". The report calls for the development of a climate, health and wellbeing strategy, which would be overseen by bodies including a national committee of health and climate change and related ministerial portfolios. "This report provides a report for the federal government to implement in cooperation with the states and territories to reduce emissions, tackle inequality and improve health through no regrets policies and initiatives," she said. Ms Armstrong said the federal government's updated climate policy on Tuesday did not include a strategy for responding to health impacts arising from climate change, and the impacts on more vulnerable groups such as Indigenous Australians, those with pre-existing medical conditions and socioeconomically disadvantaged individuals.
What is COP26 and why does it matter for Australia?