Those of us who
gather each month Beneath the Wisteria
in Shepparton are playing our part in the broader betterment of humanity’s
health.
The implications of that are explained in an account about
health and how the taking of action about climate change is implicated is spelt
out in a report, “Our Uncashed Dividend”.
The report, subtitled: “The health benefits of climate
action”, is the work of The Climate and Health Alliance and the Climate
Institute.
Early
in the introduction the report says: “Climate change is already contributing to
increasing public health problems: injuries and deaths associated with more
extreme weather events such as fires, storms and droughts; worsening of chronic
illnesses; the spread of infectious diseases; deteriorating water and food
quality and availability; declining air quality; and the displacement of populations—all
will impact on human health and well-being”.
Conversations
about mitigating climate change frequently, rather always, become distracted
and derailed by concerns about economic implications, but many of the present
carbon abatement proposals have been costed and shown to be economically advantageous, and good for our health.
The
final paragraph of the report’s conclusion says: “Finally, given both the
tremendous health risks of a more hostile Australian climate and the potential benefits
of action, a national health and climate change plan is needed. Such a plan
could help communities, businesses and government better prepare for climate
change, take advantage of the opportunities provided by low-carbon initiatives,
and take actions that cut emissions and promote better human health”.
