Climate change: a brief overview of the science and health impacts for Australia

Hanna, Elizabeth G; McIver, Lachlan J

doi:10.5694/mja17.00640

Topics

Environment and public health

Social determinants of health

Global health

Summary

The scientific relationship between atmospheric CO₂ and global temperatures has been understood for over a century.
Atmospheric concentrations of CO₂ due to burning of fossil fuels have contributed to 75% of the observed 1°C rise in global temperatures since the start of the industrial era (about 1750).
Global warming is associated with intensifying climatic extremes and disruption to human society and human health.
Mitigation is vital for human health as continued current emission rates are likely to lead to 4°C of warming by 2100.
Further escalation of Australia’s hot and erratic climate will lead to more extreme climate-related disasters of heatwaves, droughts, fires and storms, as well as shifts in disease burdens.

1 Fenner School of Environment and Society and Climate Change Institute, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT
2 Médecins Sans Frontières, Geneva, Switzerland

Correspondence: Liz.Hanna@anu.edu.au

Competing interests:

No relevant disclosures.

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