Australia to join global health and climate change initiative
The Lancet Countdown Report recognises the importance of the climate change challenge in Australia, including its relevance to human health.
The MJA report outlines Australia's involvement in 聽published in October 2017. The report wll be updated annually until 2030.聽
It tracks progress on health and climate change across 40 indicators divided into five categories: climate change impacts, exposures and vulnerability; adaptation planning and resilience for health; mitigation actions and health co-benefits; economics and finance; and public and political engagement.
Dr Ying Zhang, a senior lecturer in the University of Sydney鈥檚 School of Public Health, and Associate Professor Paul Beggs, from Macquarie University, wrote in that, from an Australian perspective, 鈥渨ith our high level of carbon emissions per capita, it will be important to reflect on our progress and how it compares with that of other countries, especially high-income countries鈥�.
With our high level of carbon emissions per capita, it will be important to reflect on our progress and how it compares with that of other countries, especially high-income countries
鈥淎 group of Australian experts from multiple disciplines is commencing work on our first national countdown report,鈥� Zhang and Beggs wrote.
鈥淭he project recognises the importance of the climate change challenge in Australia, including its relevance to human health, and also the unique breadth and depth of the Australian expertise in climate change and human health.
鈥淭he Australian countdown will mirror the five domain sections of the Lancet Countdown, adopt the indicators used鈥攚here feasible and relevant to Australia鈥攁nd include any useful additional indicators.
The Australian countdown is also envisioned as a timely endeavour that will accelerate the Australian government response to climate change and its recognition of the health benefits of urgent climate action
鈥淭he inaugural Australian report is planned for release in late 2018 and is expected to be updated annually. We hope to raise awareness of health issues related to climate change among Australian medical professionals, who play a key role in reducing their risks,鈥� the authors concluded.
鈥淭he Australian countdown is also envisioned as a timely endeavour that will accelerate the Australian government response to climate change and its recognition of the health benefits of urgent climate action.鈥�
In 2016, the University of Sydney聽appointed . Dr Capon leads聽the University of Sydney鈥檚聽.
