We can do better - National strategic action is necessary to reducing adverse impacts of climate change

The AMA’s National Conference heard from a panel of experts discussing the public health emergency caused by climate change and the national efforts needed to tackle this.

This year’s AMA National Conference heard strong calls for action on climate change during a session dedicated to the issue.

South Australia’s AMA President Dr Michelle Atchison told attendees: “Governments, ministers and ‘influencers’ must accept the need for action if we are to successfully tackle the impacts of climate change and “improve environmental sustainability within Australia’s healthcare systems”.

Calling for national strategic action — Dr Atchison emphasised that governments could no longer ignore “how climate change is damaging health and undermining improvements in health”.

“The very system that must deal with these health impacts of climate change is a major contributor to Australia’s emissions with an estimated 7 per cent of Australia’s total carbon emissions (37,772 kilotonnes) coming from the healthcare sector.”

In response to the call for action “the AMA has committed to reduce carbon emissions in the health sector to net zero by 2040, with an interim goal of 80% by 2030”.

Dr Atchison was joined on the panel by the following passionate doctors raising their voices on climate action: Dr Arnagretta Hunter, a Cardiologist and ANU Extreme Weather Event Researcher; Dr Eugenie Kayak, representing Doctors for the Environment; Dr Jacqueline Small, the President of the Royal Australian College of Physicians (RACP); and Dr Kate Charlesworth, Public Health physician in environmentally sustainable healthcare.

[Article written by Lily Turton, policy intern from the Aurora Foundation]