Introduction by Croakey: If Queensland voters value climate action, then an election scorecard prepared by the Queensland branch of the Public Health Association of Australia makes a very clear suggestion about who NOT to vote for.
The Liberal National Party, which is widely tipped to win the election, scored poorly on climate action and, indeed, on all public health priorities nominated, including First Nations peoples’ health.
Dr Beau Frigault, a Brisbane doctor and member of Doctors for the Environment Australia, writes below that Queenslanders have every reason to vote for climate action.
Beau Frigault writes:
Voters in Queensland head to the polls in just over a week. Most polling in the state suggests one clear issue influencing the vote – the economy. With every Queenslander feeling the effects of inflation, this is easy to understand.
Plus, with the added pressure of increasing cost of living and homelessness, the average Queenslander wants to know what an incoming state government will do to alleviate the financial burden.
Meanwhile, climate change and its devastating impact to our natural world is receiving considerably less attention. This is probably because the average person has not consciously considered how many of our everyday problems are caused by or exacerbated by our carbon-dense lifestyles.
This needs to change.
Queensland is one of the most vulnerable communities in the world to the impacts of climate change. Since 2011, Queenslanders have faced more than 97 significant disasters including storms, fires, cyclone sand floods.
Most Queenslanders have experienced one or more floods (70%), heatwaves (86%) and/or cyclones and destructive storms (57%) within the past five years – which is a higher proportion of people than in any other state or territory.
The urgency and severity in which the climate crisis is affecting this state, and the rest of the world is starkly evident. Recently in the US, Hurricane Milton occurred less than a fortnight after Hurricane Helene killed at least 225 people. Climate action must be our top election issue.
The burning of coal, oil and gas are responsible for over 75 percent of greenhouse gas emissions making them the biggest contributors to global warming. State governments have a massive influence over how our energy is generated and consumed, such as the approval of fossil fuel projects.
We need to heavily consider this when casting our vote on 26 October.
High stakes
As the world faces a climate crisis unprecedented in human history, the implications of climate change extend far beyond rising temperatures and extreme weather events.
Among the most pressing and often overlooked consequences is its profound impact on human health. In this election cycle, it is imperative that candidates prioritise climate change as a central issue, not only for environmental sustainability but also for the health and well-being of their constituents.
The effects of climate change on health are diverse and complex, influencing almost every aspect of our well-being. A growing body of research links climate change to a range of health risks, including respiratory illnesses, heat-related illnesses, vector-borne diseases, and mental health issues.
Increased temperatures contribute to the formation of ground-level ozone, a harmful air pollutant. Higher ozone levels exacerbate conditions like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). According to the American Lung Association, climate change is expected to worsen air quality, leading to increased hospital admissions and healthcare costs.
For communities already burdened by pollution, this is not just an environmental issue; it’s a public health crisis.
2023 was the hottest year since temperature records began and in the 12 months from June 2023 to May 2024, every month had record-high global temperatures.
Extreme heat events, fuelled by climate change, pose significant risks to vulnerable populations, including the elderly, children, pregnant women, and those with pre-existing health conditions. These heat-related illnesses can lead to hospitalisations and deaths.
As populations continue to urbanise and climate change intensifies, the urban heat island effect (increase in temperature due to the built environment) exacerbates these risks, highlighting the need for immediate action.
Shifts in climate patterns also affect the distribution of vectors, such as mosquitoes and ticks, which carry diseases like malaria and dengue fever. Warmer temperatures and changing precipitation patterns create favourable conditions for these vectors, posing new risks for regions previously free of such diseases.
As a result, public health systems must adapt to these evolving threats, necessitating significant investment and planning.
Alarming
The mental health impacts of climate change are equally alarming. Natural disasters, displacement, and loss of livelihoods due to environmental degradation can lead to anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
The psychological toll of climate-related events is substantial and often overlooked in discussions about health. As the frequency of extreme weather events increases, so too does the need for mental health resources.
Given these multifaceted health risks, it is crucial that candidates in the upcoming election acknowledge the connection between climate change and public health.
Doctors for the Environment Australia (DEA), the leading medical voice on climate and health, launched a campaign called “Fossil Fuels are a Health Hazard” earlier this year highlighting just that. Fossil fuels are responsible for the climate emergency. Policymaking must reflect the urgency of these issues, prioritising health-focused climate strategies.
Candidates who recognise the intersection of climate and health will likely resonate with voters.
Therefore, voters should support candidates who advocate for:
- Comprehensive climate policies that explicitly incorporate health considerations. This includes promoting and investing in clean energy solutions that reduce air pollution – meaning no new coal and gas projects.
- Implementing heat action plans in cities.
- Investing in public health infrastructure to prepare for climate-related health challenges. Climate change places an extra burden on our healthcare system by increasing the need for healthcare services and by disrupting health service provision during and after extreme weather events. Building resilience to climate change is vital for protecting public health.
- Investments in green spaces, urban cooling systems, and infrastructure improvements can mitigate heat effects and improve air quality. Such initiatives not only protect health but also foster community well-being and economic stability.
- Efforts to address the disproportionate impact of climate change on marginalised communities. Low-income neighbourhoods and remote communities often face higher exposure to environmental hazards and less access to healthcare. Climate policies must prioritise equity, ensuring that vulnerable populations receive the resources and support they need to adapt and thrive in a changing climate.
Accountability matters
The connection between climate change and human health cannot be overstated. As we approach this upcoming election, it is vital that candidates and voters alike recognise the urgency of addressing climate change as a top priority. This is not just about protecting the environment; it is about safeguarding our health, our communities, and our future.
Failure to do would be negligent to the future of Queenslanders. We are already halfway through our critical decade for change.
By the time the next election cycle comes around, it may be too late for our government to enact the policies needed to drive our carbon consumption down, protect biodiversity, and improve climate resilience.
By prioritising health in climate policy discussions, candidates can set the stage for a more sustainable and equitable future. Conversely, voters must hold their leaders accountable and advocate for policies that recognise the intricate ties between our climate and our health.
There is no better way to hold them accountable than at the voting booth.
• Dr Beau Frigault is a former Queensland State Chair and former national board member of Doctors for the Environment Australia.
See Croakey’s archive of articles on the Queensland election and health