AMA President, Dr Mukesh Haikerwal, today welcomed the Stern Review as a timely and authoritative reminder of the devastating health impact of climate change on the world’s human population if the international community failed to act now.
Commissioned by the UK Government and prepared by former World Bank chief economist, Sir Nicholas Stern, the report has been described by British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, as the most important he has ever received.Dr Haikerwal said the Stern Review is an international wake up call on climate change.
“It is the responsibility of all countries, but especially the developed countries of today to protect the human health and environment of the planet for future generations.
“The Stern Review encapsulates the human health concerns raised by the AMA in its Position Statement on Climate Change and Human Health,” Dr Haikerwal said.
“Climate change will dramatically alter the patterns and rate of spread of diseases, rainfall distribution, availability of drinking water, and drought.
“Australia and its region are particularly vulnerable to these changes and we are already seeing the effects with drought in Australia and rising sea levels in the Pacific.
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“As a wealthy nation and a prolific per capita greenhouse polluter, Australia must take heed of the Stern Review and show leadership with its response to climate change. We can’t afford to sit back and wait for others to show us the way.
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Last year, the AMA and the Australian Conservation Foundation released research on the health impacts of climate change in Australia, which showed the potential for up to 15,000 heat-related deaths a year by 2100. The research also showed that dengue fever transmission could extend as far south as Sydney.
Dr Haikerwal said human health ultimately depends on having a healthy environment to sustain us.
“Climate change is the biggest environmental and health challenge of our time.
“We need leadership from our governments with the support of business and the community to reduce greenhouse gas and air pollution to protect the health of all Australians and the wider global community.
“The AMA welcomes the Government’s recent funding for renewable energy projects as a downpayment on the significant further action that is needed, “ Dr Haikerwal said.
Source-Newswise
SRM
