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New Report Calls on Health System to 'Prepare for the Next Disaster'

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Surry Hills, N.S.W., Dec. 7, 2020 /Medianet/ --


New Report Calls on Health System to ‘Prepare for the Next Disaster’


A NEW CLIMATE change and health report from the Grattan Institute is calling on the Australian health system to commit to net zero emissions by 2040 - a target which has already been adopted by the world’s biggest healthcare system - the UK’s NHS.


It also urges the health sector to integrate climate change into its national plan to ensure Australia is better prepared for the growing climate risks. 


EXPERTS AVAILABLE FOR COMMENT: 


Dr Kate Charlesworth, Climate Councillor and public health physician. Location: Sydney 


“In the health sector, we have no national plan to respond to the health impacts of climate change. We are completely unprepared for the health service demands of escalating extreme weather and the climate impacts on our workforce, infrastructure and supply chains.”


“The Australian health sector has a large carbon footprint, so is a significant contributor to climate change, which is then harming human health. By switching to clean, healthy renewable energy it has a tremendous opportunity to improve health, create new jobs and reduce our emissions.”


Dr Martin Rice, Climate Council Head of Research. Location: Sydney


“Australia is on the frontline of climate change and the Federal Government’s failure to act is putting people’s health at risk. We’re experiencing severe heatwaves off the back of Australia’s hottest spring on record, and last summer much of the country was shrouded in toxic bushfire smoke that claimed more than 400 lives. We must act now to protect the health of Australians into the future.” 


For interviews please contact Communications Advisor, Brianna Hudson on 0455 238 875. 

 

The Climate Council is Australia’s leading community-funded climate change communications organisation. We provide authoritative, expert and evidence-based advice on climate change to journalists, policymakers, and the wider Australian community.


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