Introduction by Croakey: The climate crisis has not featured prominently during the Queensland election campaign, including at the leaders’ debate between Premier Steven Miles and Opposition leader
However, many of the issues that have been high on campaign agendas, including cost of living pressures, will only worsen as a result of climate inaction, write climate health experts below.
Dr Aletha Ward, Mark Holmes and Distinguished Professor Tracy Levett-Jones describe the risks to food security, economic stability and employment as a result of climate inaction.
“A vote for climate inaction is a vote for a more costly future,” they say. “This means a more unstable, unhealthy, and inequitable Queensland.”
Aletha Ward, Mark Holmes and Tracy Levett-Jones write:
As Queensland heads to the polls on the 26th of October, many voters will focus on the immediate challenges – cost-of-living pressures, energy prices, and youth crime.
However, what remains hidden beneath the political rhetoric is the profound long-term cost from failing to divest from fossil fuels. Voting to continue fossil fuel consumption is a vote for even higher costs of living for all Queenslanders.
The Liberal National Party (LNP) has recently signalled an openness to keeping coal power stations open past their planned retirement dates. This is concerning, particularly as the LNP has yet to release an energy plan.
For the millions of Queenslanders who have experienced more frequent and extreme weather events – such as floods, heatwaves, and droughts – the connection between fossil fuels and climate change is clear.
Continuing reliance on coal and gas directly contributes to climate instability, threatening the very fabric of Queensland’s way of life, its biodiversity, and economy. Climate inaction is bad for Queensland’s hip pocket.
While the Labor Government has made commendable strides, including an Australian-leading emissions reduction target, their simultaneous approval of new coal mines sends conflicting messages about their long-term commitment to true climate action.
We need to transition to renewables to meet our energy needs while at the same time protecting Queenslanders who currently rely on the fossil fuel industry for work. This requires firm commitments and clear political direction.
Currently, the Greens remain the only party whose policies are fully aligned with scientific evidence that demonstrates that only way to avoid the worst impacts of climate change is by transitioning away from fossil fuels. The Greens forward looking policies also future proof the costs associated with a deteriorating climate.
This election, Queenslanders must consider the hidden costs associated with climate inaction, particularly when voting for parties that aren’t committed to meaningful divestment from fossil fuels.
These costs are not confined to the environment – they stretch into every aspect of life, from the food on our plates to the health of our families and the financial stability of our homes and businesses. We must vote wisely, particularly as Queensland is Australia’s most disaster prone state.
Below are just a few of the long-term risks we face if fossil fuel dependency persists.
Food insecurity
Queensland’s agricultural sector is already vulnerable to droughts, cyclones, and unpredictable rainfall patterns driven by climate change. As temperatures rise and extreme weather events become more frequent, crop yields will drop, driving food prices higher and pushing many Queenslanders into food insecurity.
Cyclones and floods, like those experienced in northern Queensland in recent years, can wipe out entire farming seasons, leaving communities and businesses with significant financial losses.
Continued reliance on fossil fuels exacerbates these climate impacts, threatening the State’s food supply and economic stability.
Healthcare strain
The impacts of climate change on health and healthcare systems are becoming increasingly apparent. Rising temperatures and extreme weather events are not only contributing to more heat-related illnesses but also disrupting critical supply chains.
For example, when Hurricane Helene knocked out Baxter’s manufacturing plant in November, shortages of intravenous fluids were felt worldwide.
Queensland’s healthcare infrastructure is at risk of similar disruptions, particularly in rural areas, where increased demand for services and reduced access to medical supplies during extreme weather events could overwhelm systems.
Voting for parties that fail to prioritise climate resilience in healthcare will lead to higher costs and diminished care for all Queenslanders.
Rising insurance costs
As the risk of extreme weather events increases, so do the costs of insuring homes, businesses, and farms. Queenslanders have already seen spikes in insurance premiums due to the growing threat of floods, cyclones, and bushfires.
Properties in northern and western Queensland are particularly vulnerable, with some areas being considered “climate sacrifice zones.” In these areas, the risk can become so high that insurance may become unaffordable or unavailable, pushing families and businesses to carry the risk of financial ruin.
Without serious climate action, these costs will continue to rise, placing even more strain on Queenslanders’ budgets.
Energy and electricity costs
As temperatures rise, Queenslanders will depend more heavily on air conditioning to survive increasingly hot summers. This will drive up electricity consumption, further increasing costs for households and businesses.
While renewable energy sources can provide cleaner, cheaper energy, a continued reliance on coal-fired power will only worsen electricity prices.
Fossil fuels are not only unsustainable from an environmental perspective but also a financial burden, as global energy markets favour the transition to cheaper renewables.
Voting for parties that fail to commit to renewable energy expansion locks Queensland into higher energy costs for years to come.
Employment and economic stability
Areas in Queensland’s north and west are already feeling the impact of climate change on employment, with industries like tourism, agriculture, and fishing being particularly vulnerable to extreme weather.
These areas risk becoming “climate sacrifice zones,” where the government deems it too costly to protect the land and infrastructure from climate impacts.
This could lead to job losses and economic hardship in regions that depend on stable climate conditions.
Supporting political parties that fail to prioritise climate adaptation and mitigation means condemning these communities to long-term instability and loss.
Youth crime and displacement
As climate impacts worsen, so too does the displacement of communities, particularly in vulnerable regions. Youth crime has been a focal point of this election, but we cannot ignore the role that climate-induced economic displacement plays in pushing young people into crime.
When families and communities are destabilised due to extreme weather events, loss of employment, or rising living costs, young people often bear the brunt of these stressors.
The connection between climate change, social inequality, and crime must be considered when thinking about how to secure a safer future for Queensland’s youth.
Cross roads
Queensland is at a crossroads. The decisions made in this election will have long-lasting implications for our environment, our economy, and our communities.
The hidden costs of voting for parties that fail to commit to divestment from fossil fuels are immense and far-reaching, affecting every sector from healthcare to employment.
Queenslanders must consider not only the immediate promises of politicians, but also the future we are leaving for our children and grandchildren.
A vote for climate inaction is a vote for a more costly future. This means a more unstable, unhealthy, and inequitable Queensland.
The time to act is now. Vote wisely for a better future.
Author details
Dr Aletha Ward is Senior Research Lead – First Nations at the University of Southern Queensland. She is active in climate and health research and advocacy, including as:
- Co-Founder and Ambassador – Climate Action Nurses
- Chair Climate and Health Faculty – Australian College of Nursing
- Non-Executive Director – Climate and Health Alliance
- Leadership team – Planetary Health Collaborative for Nurses and Midwives
- Climate and Health Representative – Australian Primary Health Care Nurses Association.
Mark Holmes, RN., RM., BN, MMid, MAv (Human Factors) is Deputy Chair of the Australian College of Nursing Climate and Health Faculty.
Tracy Levett-Jones is Distinguished Professor and Professor of Nursing Education in the School of Nursing & Midwifery at The University of Technology Sydney.
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