Doctors push for health approval on all new fossil fuel projects

With global temperature records continuing to tumble, Doctors for the Environment Australia (DEA) is calling for new safeguards to be introduced to protect patients’ health.
 
The group, which represents thousands of medical professionals across the country, says fossil fuel projects posing a serious risk to health should be forced to undergo assessment and approval from the Federal Health Minister before getting the green light.
 
The group’s pleas come as global scientists say 2023 is ‘virtually certain’ to be the warmest year on record, sparking a ‘sense of urgency for ambitious climate action’.
 
New research from Harvard University has also revealed fossil fuel air pollution is responsible for one in five deaths globally, and increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, diabetes, stroke, and complications in pregnancy.
 
The DEA’s plan would see a ‘health trigger’ attached to greenhouse gas-producing projects as well as those likely to have a directy health impact on the local community.
 
RACGP Specific Interests Climate and Environmental Medicine Chair Dr Catherine Pendrey labelled the plan a ‘common-sense approach’ that recognises the significant harms of fossil fuel projects.
 
‘Many would be surprised that, considering the evidence from health professionals, this is not already a requirement,’ she told newsGP.
 
‘There is an absolute abundance of warnings from leading global health authorities that the window to avert potentially catastrophic climate change is rapidly closing.
 
‘Governments need to take these warnings seriously. Far from continuing to proliferate new high emissions projects, we need to concertedly transition to renewable energy as an urgent health intervention.’
 
According to a new Australia Institute survey of 1535 voters, 67% support a requirement that the Government consider the health effects of fossil fuel projects.
 
Support for the change is highest among younger voters aged 18–29, with 82% calling for action.
 
The survey also revealed 80% of respondents are at least somewhat concerned about the health impacts of pollution generated by the extraction, processing, and burning of fossil fuels.
 
Dr Pendrey said many communities have already been affected by climate change and are deeply concerned about its consequences.
 
‘Anxiety about climate change is now widespread in the Australian population, especially among individuals who have direct experience of extreme weather events and young people who are concerned about their future,’ she said.
 
‘For these individuals, ongoing increases in emissions from the proliferation of new fossil fuel projects are particularly distressing.
 
‘As general practitioners, validating experiences, fostering connectedness and supporting engagement in constructive solutions to adapt to and mitigate climate change are useful strategies to support individuals experiencing climate distress.’
 
Currently, health impact assessments are undertaken on projects, but DEA say they are ‘not doing enough to protect human health’ as they are not compulsory and not necessarily conducted by health professionals.
 
The group is calling for the new health trigger process to be conducted by public health experts in line with the latest health impact data.
 
GP and DEA Executive Director Dr Kate Wylie said doctors have a moral and professional obligation to raise the alarm about major public health threats from coal and gas.
 
‘The mining, transporting and burning of fossil fuels pollutes local environments, dirties our air and is the main driver of climate change, which is the greatest public health problem facing humanity,’ she said.
 
‘We are seeing an alarming escalation of heatwaves, fires and smoke, floods, and infectious diseases made worse by global heating, causing terrible physical and mental suffering for Australians and tens of millions of people across the world.
 
‘As doctors, we’re about patient care, and failing to call out the dangers of fossil fuels would be negligent.’
 
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