The Assistant Federal Minister for Health and Aged Care, Ged Kearney, has helped launch a report which calls for an end to new fossil fuel production and promotions.
Doctors for the Environment Australia (DEA) released the report, ‘Fossil fuels are a health hazard’ at Federal Parliament House in Canberra, outlining the numerous health problems associated with coal, oil and gas.
It coincided with the launch of the Smoke Kills website, calling on the Federal Government to urgently reduce fossil fuel use.
Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care, Ged Kearney MP acknowledged the impact of climate change, stating: “From extreme heat to more frequent bushfires, climate change is forever changing our environment and how we live. Australia needs a health system that is prepared for these challenges.
“Our National Strategy on Health and Climate lays the foundations for all of society to work together to address the impacts of climate change on Australians’ health and wellbeing”.
DEA’s Executive Director and GP, Dr Kate Wylie said, “Coal, oil and gas are driving dangerous air pollution. This smoke kills – whether it’s coming from a gas stove or a car exhaust, it gets into our lungs and bloodstream and causes disease, disability and death.
“If we don’t act on this as a public health priority, simply put, more people are going to die or experience significant illness linked to fossil fuels”
Comms Declare Founder Belinda Noble said, “Fossil fuel pollution is killing more Australians than car crashes, alcohol and gambling combined and yet the fossil fuel industry is allowed to continue spending millions of dollars on promotion every year. Australia was a world leader in restricting tobacco advertising for the public good, and we should stop the promotion of high emission products for the same reason.”
“Combined with the accelerating impacts of an unstable climate, we believe fossil fuels will overtake junk food to become Australia’s most deadly advertised products.”
“There is already global action underway with UN Secretary General António Guterres recently calling for a global fossil fuel ban and restrictions imposed in France, Sydney and dozens of other cities. If our government is committed to protecting Australians and fighting climate change then banning fossil fuel advertising is an obvious first step.”
