3 years ago
HEALTH IMPACTS OF BUSHFIRES A WARNING SIGN FOR CLIMATE CHANGE INACTION
MARK BUTLER MP
New data on the health impacts resulting from the 2019/20 bushfire season has sounded a clear alarm for the Morrison Government to take real action and add climate change as a National Health Priority Area.
Evidence provided at today’s hearing of the Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements (the Bushfires Royal Commission) has calculated 445 lives were tragically lost prematurely due to smoke from the latest bushfire season.
The evidence also concluded that 80 per cent of Australians were affected by the bushfire smoke, with an additional 3340 admissions to hospital for heart and lung related issues and 1373 additional presentations to emergency departments for asthma.
The resulting economic consequence of these health impacts from the disastrous summer bushfires has come at a record high $2 billion cost to the country, with experts warning that “hazards are going to increase and affect us all”.
This devastating evidence speaks to the real amount that the Government’s inaction on preparing for this bushfire season has cost our health and our economy. But it also speaks to its long-term inaction on tackling climate change.
Scientists have been telling us for years that climate change will increase the prevalence and severity of bushfires. Unfortunately, this has eventuated, and the health and economic consequences are staggering.
Adding climate change as a National Health Priority Area would force the Government to recognise the significant health impacts of climate change, and ensure these impacts are reported and goals, targets, and progress documented.
Last year the Department of Health was forced to admit they had not even modelled the health impacts of climate change.
Climate change must be recognised as a significant contributor to the burden of illness and injury in Australia.
The World Health Organisation estimates that between 2030 and 2050, 250,000 people a year will die globally as a direct result of a warming planet.
The health of all Australians in a changing climate must be protected.
Labor has consistently called for climate change to be added as a National Health Priority Area, and the Morrison Government has refused.
We again urge it to reconsider.
Evidence provided at today’s hearing of the Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements (the Bushfires Royal Commission) has calculated 445 lives were tragically lost prematurely due to smoke from the latest bushfire season.
The evidence also concluded that 80 per cent of Australians were affected by the bushfire smoke, with an additional 3340 admissions to hospital for heart and lung related issues and 1373 additional presentations to emergency departments for asthma.
The resulting economic consequence of these health impacts from the disastrous summer bushfires has come at a record high $2 billion cost to the country, with experts warning that “hazards are going to increase and affect us all”.
This devastating evidence speaks to the real amount that the Government’s inaction on preparing for this bushfire season has cost our health and our economy. But it also speaks to its long-term inaction on tackling climate change.
Scientists have been telling us for years that climate change will increase the prevalence and severity of bushfires. Unfortunately, this has eventuated, and the health and economic consequences are staggering.
Adding climate change as a National Health Priority Area would force the Government to recognise the significant health impacts of climate change, and ensure these impacts are reported and goals, targets, and progress documented.
Last year the Department of Health was forced to admit they had not even modelled the health impacts of climate change.
Climate change must be recognised as a significant contributor to the burden of illness and injury in Australia.
The World Health Organisation estimates that between 2030 and 2050, 250,000 people a year will die globally as a direct result of a warming planet.
The health of all Australians in a changing climate must be protected.
Labor has consistently called for climate change to be added as a National Health Priority Area, and the Morrison Government has refused.
We again urge it to reconsider.