Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s pledge to inject more funding into the oil industry risks Australians’ health and should be reconsidered, Doctors for the Environment say.
Mr Morrison has announced $250 million funding for the oil industry if his party wins the federal election on May 21.
Doctors for the Environment Chair John Van Der Kallen said the funding was short-sighted and risked the health of all Australians. There are also broader health risks associated with global warming and climate change like heat-related deaths.
“We ask the Prime Minister to re-consider this announcement as it is of major concern to our members,” Dr Van Der Kallen said.
“Heat-related deaths and other health issues associated with climate change are severely impacting the health and wellbeing of communities around Australia.
“Children born today are likely to face seven times more extreme weather events than their grandparents.
“There has never been a more critical time for Australia to address climate change, and it needs to happen this decade.
“We need to transition away from fossil fuels, not towards them. We have to look towards the future and the future has to be low carbon.”
Dr Van Der Kallen is
