No new fossil fuel projects, no fossil fuel money in politics
The Australian Medical Association is calling on Australian governments to do everything possible to mitigate the effects of climate change including an end to the approval of any new fossil fuel projects.
In its One Health position statement released ahead of the United Nations Conference of Parties meeting on climate change; the AMA also called for an end to donations from the fossil fuel industry to political parties and for fossil fuel subsidies to be transitioned to renewable energy.
AMA President Professor Steve Robson said detrimental health outcomes are already occurring because of climate change and more devastating health impacts will occur if more is not done to tackle the rise in temperatures.
“The AMA recognises climate change is a health emergency, with clear scientific evidence indicating severe impacts for humanity right now, and worsening into the future,” Professor Robson said.
“It is imperative that governments protect the health of all Australians. Only recently we’ve seen reports that the federal government is falling behind in reaching its target.
“It is time to put an end to the major contributors to climate change. We must end our reliance on fossil fuels.”
One Health is a concept that recognises that human, animal, and environmental health are inextricably linked. The AMA’s position statement also calls for the planned Australian Centre for Disease Control (CDC) to adopt a One Health approach to protect environmental, animal, and human health.
Professor Robson said a multidisciplinary approach was needed to tackle the massive challenge of protecting Australians’ health from climate change.
“The health of Australia’s population is put at risk by extreme climate events like fires and floods, but it’s vital we look at other threats, including biodiversity loss, food and water security, and the looming threat of antimicrobial resistance,” he said.
Professor Robson recently interviewed Professor Hilary Bambrick (ANU Director, National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health) on his Doctorama podcast in which these issues were discussed at length.
“Experts such as Professor Bambrick are telling us just how important it is that we tackle the myriad risks to population health,” Professor Robson said.
“We’re hearing the same thing from all the experts — we must act now if we want a world habitable for generations to come.”
