Perth (Curtin) doctors and medical students demand climate action now
From Cairns to Curtin, Bondi to the Alice, Glenelg to Cottesloe; DEA members and Friends of DEA have been meeting with their members of Parliament and candidates. They are seeking an ambitious national plan to cut climate pollution this decade, the establishment of a national Sustainable Healthcare unit, a national climate change and health strategy, along with the protection and restoration of nature.
“Climate change is the biggest health challenge of the 21st century. We must do all we can to mitigate the current and future health crisis. The health and wellbeing of all Australians is under threat. And significantly, the health of young people – babies, children, and future generations – will see the biggest impacts if we don’t act now.”~ Professor Fiona Stanley, Founding Director & Patron, Telethon Kids Institute, previous Australian of the Year and member of DEA’s Scientific Committee.
“Australian politicians need to follow the advice of scientists and take an immediate & non-partisan approach to the climate crisis” says Dr Helen Sadler, Cottesloe Councillor, East Fremantle GP and Cottesloe Deputy Mayor.
“Decisions based on science during the covid-19 pandemic led to Australia having one of the best responses and outcomes in the world. Decisions for our climate need the same urgent approach.”
Medical student Sanchita Gera in Perth during an oppressive summer of heat and fires. “I’m here today because climate change is an urgent public health emergency.” It’s time we listened to our youth. We’re selling their future.
Associate Professor at Curtin University and UWA Paediatrician at PCH Dr Raewyn Mutch.
“Climate change is the greatest threat to all life and to our home, the Earth, right now. We must act without waiting. We have the technologies and economies. The evidence of irrevocable harm to children, creatures and places occurring right now is horrifying.”
“Our role as human people is not just to take from the earth, is not just to provide for our single species. The Earth sustain us. We have the capacity and the responsibility to sustain Her in return. Love received demands love returned. Aroha mai, Aroha atu.”
Perth Endocrinologist and DEA member Dr Vinutha Shetty reminds us that human health is contingent on a multitude of ecosystem functions including those that arise from healthy soils. Soil health contributes to emissions reduction, biodiversity and food security.
“Restoring top soil prevents many chronic inflammatory diseases and cancer; and solves many global challenges such as climate change, food security, biodiversity loss and more.”
Perth-based medical students Edi Singh and Lisa Guo write: Climate change has been described by the The Lancet as “the biggest global health threat of the 21st century”.
“As future medical professionals who will be practising in a world undoubtedly affected by climate change, we believe medical students must be educated and prepared for the global health effects of the climate crisis, while advocating for planetary health as a form of prevention.”
GP in Perth Dr Christine Kuhlmann-Jackson reflecting the frustration that many in the electorate of Curtin are feeling.
“I have become increasingly frustrated by the inaction and willful dithering of our political leaders. The evidence of man- made climate change and its impact on the health of our population and our environment is overwhelming. We need to demand responsible and urgent action now.”
750+ signed postcards with DEA’s political asks were delivered to sitting MP Celia Hammond
DEA’s doctors in Curtin (Perth) delivered our postcards that were signed by residents/visitors to Curtin. They are calling from strong and urgent action on climate change to sitting MP Celia Hammond. Over 750 postcards have been signed. This summer has highlighted to enormous health threat that climate change will bring. From heatwaves, bushfires and floods, we have had a glimpse of the future. Our politicians need to act now to protect the health and wellbeing of the community, especially those most disadvantaged and our children who will inherit the future.
Watch the Curtin Climate and Health Forum – in association with Australian Religious Response to Climate Change (ARRCC)
A recent survey has found that 69% of residents in Curtin believe that greater action on climate change will strengthen the economy, while 67% believe benefits they receive from action outweigh any costs.
If you want to know where the Liberal MP Celia Hammond, Independent candidate Kate Chaney, Greens candidate Cameron Pidgeon and Labor candidate Yannick Spencer stand on these issues, watch this recording to find out. With the most recent IPPCC report calling for deep and urgent cuts to emissions, there has never been a more critical time for Australia to address climate change.
Dear Hon Celia Hammond MP,
The electorate of Curtin and surrounds call on you to:
1. Adopt an ambitious national plan to cut climate pollution (emissions) this decade
To protect health, with strong, science-based targets that at minimum match our key allies and trading partners. This plan would include:
- banning new coal, gas and oil projects and ending public funding to fossil fuels;
- accelerate transition to electric vehicles; and
- delivery of 100% renewable electricity by 2030.
2. Establish a national Sustainable Healthcare Unit
To support environmentally sustainable practice in healthcare and reduce the sector’s own significant carbon emissions.
Targets for healthcare sector:
- 80% reduction in carbon emissions by 2030,
- net zero carbon emissions by 2040.
3. Develop a national climate change and health strategy:
- to protect and maintain the health of all Australians by risk assessment, mitigation and adaptation planning for climate disruption and climate emergencies by all levels of government;
- to make all levels of the healthcare sector – federal, state and community-based – more resilient through climate disaster, infrastructure and workforce planning.
4 Protect and restore nature through:
- urgent reform of Australia’s environment protection laws – including implementing the recommendations of the 2020 review of EPBC Act (the Samuel Review);
- ensuring Australia’s commitments under the Global Biodiversity Framework are met.
Sign the postcard
Information obtained via this form is collected and shared with Hon Celia Hammond MP for the purposes of the Climate Action for Health Campaign. It is not shared with any other third parties. For further information, please read DEA’s privacy policy.
