The effect of climate change on health

Heatwaves kill more Australians than all other extreme weather events such as floods, bushfires, cyclones and storms combined – LINK 1, and year on year, Australia is getting hotter and drier – LINK 2. Ambulance call outs, hospitalizations and deaths all peak during extreme heat events – LINK 3.

Ambulance ramping NSW Credit: ABC News

During heatwaves, people can die directly from the heat – heat exhaustion, dehydration, etc. Vulnerable people with heart, lung or kidney diseases will often experience increased morbidity during extreme heat events when their condition is exacerbated by the rise in temperature.

Indisputably, our planet is warming. Average temperatures are increasing everywhere but especially in urban areas where buildings, roads and footpaths absorb more heat compared to regions of natural environment. This phenomenon is known as the urban heat island effect and is well documented – LINK 4. Some urban spaces can be more than 10°C hotter than surrounding areas.

Shady oaks in Porter Pl Drouin

Many jurisdictions are developing strategies to counter the urban heat island effect by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, increasing tree cover and green spaces, providing shade structures, outdoor misting systems and increased drinking stations and using reflective surfaces on infrastructure.

Climate change is already impacting our health. The World Health Organization suggests that globally, between 2030 and 2050, there will be approximately 250,000 extra deaths per year directly and indirectly due to the warming of our planet – LINK 5.