The College acknowledges the substantive evidence to suggest that the impacts of climate change are creating a global health emergency and that these effects are being felt especially by rural and remote communities in Australia and across the world.

A global health emergency calls for an emergency response, and immediate and sustained action is required to minimise the impact of climate change. Australia needs to take much greater steps to mitigate and adapt to bring climate change under control to save lives and protect health. The College calls on governments at all levels to actively invest in the process across all sectors.

As a trainer of the next generation of rural doctors, ACRRM is committed to developing policy and progressing toward reducing its own organisational carbon footprint, as well as educating and supporting its members on practical ways they can make a positive individual contribution as well as leading and supporting their communities to do so.

 

ACRRM’s Climate and Health Position Statement calls on government at all levels to apply a “rural-proofing lens” to climate change policy to ensure the health of our population living in rural and remote Australia.

ACRRM will:

  • Continue to join global efforts to raise awareness of the impacts of climate change on human health and to advocate for positive action
  • Support the development of National Climate Change and Health Strategy to facilitate planning for future climate health impacts, and rural research into the health effects of climate changes
  • Promote  the  role  of  the  Rural  Generalist  in  responding  to  the  burden  of  non-communicable disease resulting from climate change such as mental illness, to provide high quality care, and keep people healthy and out of hospital
  • Review its curriculum and training programs to reflect the related emerging priorities for Rural Generalist practice
  • Promote environmental sustainability within its own operations and the health sector more  broadly,  and  support  members  in  their  efforts  to  do  the  same  within  their  own practices and work environments.
  1. ACRRM has signed the WONCA Open letter calling on world leaders to take urgent action on climate change to safeguard the health of populations worldwide.
  2. The College has also joined the Healthy Climate Future Campaign calling on the Australian Government to fully fund the implementation of the National Health and Climate Strategy and work with states and territories to ensure:
    • It is guided by First Nations knowledge and leadership.
    • fosters healthy and climate resilient communities and
    • equitably decarbonises healthcare.
We encourage members to join the Climate Change and Health Discussion Group on ACRRM Connect and initiate a discussion or share information and resources. You can also contact the policy team at policy@acrrm.org.au with any questions or suggestions.