Action on climate change requires strong leadership from the health sector

Abstract

Climate change is an important and bitterly contested area of public policy with profound implications for public health. The current state of debate around the issue suggests the need for more effective advocacy by a range of parties. The former Federal Science Minister, Barry Jones, recently described the quality of discussion about climate change in Australia as ?deplorable?. It has been, he wrote, ?soporific on one side and hysterical on the other, ugly, dumb and bullying, marked by a ?Gotcha!? approach in sections of the media, with relentless emphasis on fear, the short term, vested interests and a mindless populism?. Health professionals and organisations are well placed to help generate a more informed debate and policy response. They hold relatively influential, powerful positions in society generally, and the health impacts of climate change offer an opportunity to engage the public in issues that may otherwise seem abstract and not personally relevant.