22 September 2005
A new report forecasts that within 100 years 15,000 Australians could die each year from heat-related illness if greenhouse gas emissions are not dramatically reduced.
The Australian Medical Association (AMA) and the Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF) have today launched the joint report in Canberra.
The organisations have called for a national response to climate change and its effect on public health.
The report predicts the number of deaths from heat-related illness could rise significantly from the current figure of 1,100 per year.
It also warns as Australia's temperature rises there will be a southern migration of dengue fever and other mosquito-borne diseases, from the current transmission zone in far north Australia to as far south as Sydney.
ACF president Ian Lowe says the report makes climate change more tangible to average Australians.
"Climate change doesn't just have economic effects, it doesn't just have environmental effects, it has social effects," he said.
The report's author, Dr Rosalie Woodruff, says as temperatures rise, there are major health implications.
"If we continue on with a higher level of emissions, which is quite plausible, then it would be possible that dengue would be transmitted south of Sydney, including Brisbane and the coastal strip between Brisbane and Sydney," she said.
The organisations are calling for a national response to climate change from governments, businesses and individuals.
