Doctors for the Environment Australia
Queensland’s Emissions Review Hurts Environment, Health
News that the Queensland Government is considering breaking its bi-partisan commitment to reduce emissions by 75% by 2035 puts Queenslanders, already suffering from life threatening heat waves, fires and floods, at even greater risk.
Kate Wylie, a GP and executive director at DEA, said: “We expect the Queensland Government to keep its promise and deliver the policies needed to reduce emissions by 75%. The decision to extend the life of coal-fired power stations beyond 2035, with Callide B to stay open for 3 more years beyond the planned 2028 closure, is irresponsible to say the least.
“We are already seeing the devastating impact of climate change in Queensland. The health impacts of fossil fuel pollution are well documented, accounting for more deaths globally than smoking. The impact of climate change driven extreme heat on human health is also well known, as is the increased risk of disease from floods, not to mention the impact on the mental health of affected communities.
“Right now, Queensland is suffering one of the worst floods in its history, an area four times the size of the UK has been hit, with swarms of mosquitoes the next challenge facing the state.
“This is not the time to be walking away from clean energy and embracing more coal and gas. We need to be reducing emissions right now, not increasing them. 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 the ongoing use of fossil fuels.”