Climate change and health: Preparing for the next disaster

This report looks into how a changing climate is harming Australians' health and argues that the health sector must do more to adapt to the reality of climate change. It focuses on the devastating bushfires of the 2019-20 summer, a portent of things to come as global warming increases the severity and frequency of natural disasters in Australia. Climate change will cause harsher heatwaves and more severe storms. In the far north of Australia, cyclones will be more intense, causing floods that will destroy homes, businesses, and public buildings. Further south, droughts will be longer, creating still more hardship for farmers and regional towns and cities.

The report argues that the health sector must adapt to the reality of a warming Australia. It must develop plans and protocols to minimise the harm caused by climate disasters. It must ensure people can continue to get healthcare services and medications when disaster strikes. And it must provide mental health support, not just during a crisis but for decades after. For health departments, hospitals, and local healthcare networks, responding to climate change is not an optional extra, it is core business.