The Australian Medical Students’ Association (AMSA) has condemned the Federal Government’s emissions reduction target, slamming it as inadequate to protect against the health threats of climate change.
AMSA President, James Lawler, criticised the Federal Government for failing to listen to advice from doctors, medical students and leading health authorities in setting meaningful emission reduction targets.
“Climate change is one of the biggest health threats Australians face, so it is disgraceful the government has disregarded both the vast body of compelling evidence and the recommendations of credible authorities,” said Mr Lawler.
“AMSA is calling on the Federal Government to commit to a 95% reduction in carbon emissions compared with 2000 levels by 2050, with an intermediate target of 40% reduction by 2025.
“Targets less than this are not in line with what is required to limit global warming to the internationally agreed target of 2°C and avoid catastrophic climate change.
“Medical students are extremely concerned about the threat of climate-induced health consequences, as inaction today will mean detrimental health outcomes for their patients tomorrow.
“Medical students and doctors nationwide have been contacting their MPs and having face-to-face meetings to discuss the health benefits of committing to stronger emissions reductions.
A recent report by, The Lancet , found that failing to address climate change risks will be undoing public health gains of the last 50 years, whilst taking strong action presents the biggest opportunity to improve public health.
“In many arenas Australia is a worldwide leader, yet we are falling behind in mitigating climate change and instead actively diminishing efforts by other nations to work towards a healthy future,” said Mr Lawler,
“Failure to act adequately on climate change is a failure to protect the health and wellbeing of Australians, and ultimately a failure to act in the best interests of Australians.”
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