Environmental health news: Climate change 'poses a serious threat'

Health & safety

Environmental health news: Climate change 'poses a serious threat'

10 Dec, 2009

Published over 16 years ago. See the latest and most current information on Health & safety.

The Australian Medical Association (AMA) has stated that climate change poses serious risks to public health.

Addressing the Australian delegation at the Copenhagen Climate Change Conference, AMA president Dr Andrew Pesce urged them to take action on global warming for the benefit of human health.

He said: "Climate change will dramatically alter the patterns and rate of spread of diseases, rainfall distribution, availability of drinking water and drought."

In addition to cutting carbon emissions, Dr Pesce stressed that global medical services need to be equipped to deal with the health effects of climate change.

Resources need to be channelled towards both the health impact of gradual climate change as well as aid following extreme events, such as drought, Dr Pesce stated.

Earlier this year, the World Medical Association (WMA) set out its position on climate change and its global health effects.

In a declaration published in October, the WMA called on governments to "recognise the serious consequences for health" that will be brought about by climate change.

Posted by Joseph Hutton

Latest News

IET 36.3 May

Explore our Digital Edition

Discover the latest news and research

Digital edition

Explore Our Other Sites

Labmate Online
Fatty liver disease linked to higher burden of coronary plaques prone to rupture risk
Explore more Arrow
Pollution Solutions Online
AI-driven in-line inspection improves leak and air pocket detection in water networks
Explore more Arrow
Petro Online
Safer, faster on-site density checks for aviation fuel
Explore more Arrow
Chromatography Today
Affordable liquid chromatography solvent delivery pump
Explore more Arrow