Doctors and physicians to march for a healthier future

Doctors and physicians to march for a healthier future

27 November 2015

Physicians from across Australia and New Zealand will participate in this weekend’s People’s Climate March as part the Doctors for Climate Action campaign coordinated by the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP).

The Doctors for Climate Action campaign is a global movement to draw together the health and medical community in calling for real action on the health impacts of climate change at the upcoming United Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris (COP21).

RACP physicians are marching to highlight climate change risks to personal health, including:

• Significant increases in heat-related illnesses and deaths

• Increases in water-borne and vector-borne diseases

• Increases in cardiovascular and respiratory diseases resulting from deterioration in air quality

• Increased mortality due to extreme weather events

RACP President, Laureate Professor Nick Talley, said recent research had proven beyond doubt that climate change was a global health issue.*

“We can no longer ignore the very real impact of climate change on the health of each and every individual in Australia and New Zealand, and around the world,” explained Professor Talley.

“Physicians want the community and our leaders to recognise that the risks to personal health from climate change are significant – particularly among the vulnerable, including children, the elderly and those suffering with chronic illnesses.

“With COP21 due to commence on Monday, 30 November, we are joining with the community at People’s Climate Marches to call for leaders to commit to real action to combat the health impacts of climate change.”

RACP’s participation in this weekend’s marches is part of a broader effort by the College. Last month, RACP launched Doctors for Climate Action bringing together 68 health and medical organisations from around the world to co-sign a Global Consensus Statement. The statement calls on world leaders to commit to real action at COP21.

Individuals are also encouraged to add their name to the call for action by visiting www.doctorsforclimateaction.org

“The RACP, alongside our partner organisations from around the world, is committed to bringing a medical voice to the forefront of the debate about climate change. The response so far has been beyond expectations and serves to highlight how seriously physicians and doctors are taking this issue.”

* The 2015 Lancet Commission on Health and Climate Change: Policy responses to protect public health.

ENDS

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