Climate action for rural doctors
Tracks
Waterfront Room 1
| Friday, October 25, 2024 |
| 2:10 PM - 3:15 PM |
| Waterfront Room 1 |
Details
Stream: BUILD UP HEALTH ECOLOGIES: Exploring the Interplay of Climate, Health, and Sustainable Practices in Rural
Speaker
Dr Rob Phair
Rural Generalist
Rural Doctors Association of Victoria
Climate action for rural doctors
Abstract Overview
Climate change poses an existential threat to rural and remote communities in Australia, across the Pacific, and worldwide.The projected health impacts have been extensively documented.
The single most important action we can take is to phase out fossil fuel use as quickly as possible.
The Australian Government has been slow to act by world standards, and continues to approve significant new fossil fuel projects. It has just produced a Future Gas Strategy committing to new fossil gas projects fueling demand 'to 2050 and beyond'.
These policies will contribute to worsening climate change, and pose a significant risk to the health and wellbeing of rural Australians.
Rural doctors have a critical advocacy role which should include evidence based political action.
The single most important action we can take is to phase out fossil fuel use as quickly as possible.
The Australian Government has been slow to act by world standards, and continues to approve significant new fossil fuel projects. It has just produced a Future Gas Strategy committing to new fossil gas projects fueling demand 'to 2050 and beyond'.
These policies will contribute to worsening climate change, and pose a significant risk to the health and wellbeing of rural Australians.
Rural doctors have a critical advocacy role which should include evidence based political action.
Biography
Dr Rob Phair is a rural generalist doctor working on Gunaikurnai country in Eastern Victoria.
Before studying medicine, he was a linguist who worked in outdoor education and as a tour guide in Russia and Central Asia.
He is the Immediate Past President of Rural Doctors Association Victoria and has a strong interest in health advocacy and the politics of rural health.
His health advocacy interests include climate action, active transport (especially cycling) and air pollution.
