Climate Commission

Effects : Health

Climate change is harming the health of Australians and poses a threat for the future.

Our health depends on our environment: safe water, clean air, sufficient food, tolerable temperatures and protection from the elements. In the past 50 years, the Earth’s surface has warmed rapidly in response to rising levels of greenhouse gases created from burning fossil fuels, deforestation and agriculture. The changing climate is already placing pressure on the natural, economic and social systems that support good health.

Global temperatures will continue to rise. These increased temperatures will lead to more injuries, disease and deaths in the future. Sustained action by Australia and other nations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions can help prevent the worst impacts.

For more information on this topic, see the Commission’s report The Critical Decade: Climate Change and Health.

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• ABC news covers Health report