Queensland could save hundreds of millions of dollars in short-term health costs with greenhouse emission targets that better incorporate health co-benefits, according to a national coalition of health groups.
The move towards less-polluting forms of energy and transport would not just benefit Queensland health savings, but also the overall health of Queenslanders, Climate and Health Alliance (CAHA) member and public health expert Dr Linda Selvey said.
“Air pollution prematurely kills over 3000 Australians a year, almost three times our annual road death toll, and what many don’t realise is that climate change makes air pollution worse,” Dr Selvey said.
“Air pollution can lead to health problems like asthma and heart attacks as well as premature deaths, but we don’t know the extent to which it impacts Queenslanders today or how the health costs stack up against the benefits to the economy of burning fossil fuels.
“With an increase in population, transport and energy in recent years, experts predict the health co-benefits of policy options in the transport and energy sectors could now save the state hundreds of millions in short-term health costs.”
A snapshot of research on climate change, health and air pollution shows:
- At present, just 0.1 per cent of health research funding is spent on climate change and health research across Australia.
- A recent report estimated the cost of premature deaths due to air pollution in Australia at between $11 billion and $24 billion per year.
- Health experts like Professor Tony Capon estimate the energy and transport sectors alone now cost Australia at least $6 billion a year in health problems.
CAHA Queensland spokesperson Sue Cooke said: “The Queensland Government’s renewable energy and electric vehicles policies are a step in the right direction with health co-benefits an added benefit from such climate mitigation activities. While extra studies might help maximise savings from co-benefits, that should not delay action from government to reduce emissions and improve health.
“To make a real difference, we need state and national government policy that supports the whole community to make the shift to a healthy renewable-powered future. For the sake of our health, that means Queensland not going ahead with new coal or gas developments.”
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