Climate change is a pressing issue that not only affects the environment but also poses significant health risks to individuals. The Australian Senate Committee has been investigating how lawmakers can mitigate these health risks, particularly in relation to future mining projects. The Climate Change Department in Australia has acknowledged the challenges faced in accurately assessing the long-term harms of climate change policy.
During a recent Senate Committee hearing, Labor Senator Karen Grogan questioned witnesses about practical methods that could be used to measure the health impacts of global warming. The hearing focused on the Climate Change Amendment (Duty of Care and Intergenerational Climate Equity) Bill 2023, which aims to include the health and wellbeing of children in Australia as a consideration when making significant decisions. This amendment specifically targets mining activities related to coal, oil, and natural gas resources, requiring projects to be axed if they pose a “material risk of harm” to children.
Throughout the day-long hearing, witnesses highlighted the physical and mental harm that could arise from increased global temperatures. However, when Senator Grogan asked about measuring project-specific impacts on future generations, witnesses struggled to provide a viable solution. Bruce Edwards, division head of Nature Positive Regulation at the Climate Change Department, admitted that assessing intergenerational well-being would be challenging and that the department lacks the necessary tools for such assessments.
Representatives from medical bodies, who are strong advocates for recognizing climate change harm, also failed to provide a clear answer. Dr. Catherine Pendrey, chair of the Climate and Environmental Medicine Specific Interest Group at the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP), noted that it is often young people in Australia who take climate change issues to court rather than members of the medical profession. Heath Darrant, national coordinator of the Australian Medical Students’ Association, suggested adopting the United Nations’ Child Rights Impact Assessment Model used by Wales and New Zealand to determine health impacts.
The challenges faced by the Climate Change Department and the lack of clear solutions presented during the hearing highlight the complexity of assessing the long-term health risks of climate change. It is evident that measuring the direct connection between specific projects and future climate change harm is a difficult task. While the importance of considering the health and wellbeing of future generations in decision-making processes is recognized, there is still a need for further expert advice and tools to effectively assess these impacts.
As the Senate Committee continues its investigation, it is crucial for policymakers to address these challenges and find workable solutions. Protecting the health of individuals, particularly children, should be a priority when considering future mining projects and their potential harm caused by climate change. The insights gained from this hearing emphasize the need for collaboration between government, regulators, medical professionals, and experts in developing effective strategies to mitigate health risks associated with climate change.
