“As GPs, we know that increasing extremes of heat can have an impact on the health of the community – especially on the very young, and the very old. In primary care, we need to help our patients plan for heatwaves, which might include discussing staying cool, using air conditioning, or including this in chronic disease management plans, but we also need to advocate for broader interventions that can reduce climate change.” [Associate Professor Rowena Ivers, representing the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, Healthy Futures media release, 26 March 2024]
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| IMAGE: @RACGPPresident |
Health professionals gathered at 11am on Tuesday, 26 March 2024 outside Parliament House in Canberra to deliver an open letter signed by 25 organisations representing over 50,000 health professionals, including the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP), the Australasian College for Emergency Medicine (ACEM) and the Australasian College of Sports and Exercise Physicians (ACSEP), calling for funding commitments for rooftop solar on social housing to protect vulnerable people from the health impacts of extreme heat and climate change.
Led by Healthy Futures1, the letter warns that heat-related illnesses kill thousands of Australians every year.
The letter requests that the Federal government commit to installing rooftop solar on at least 30% of Australian social housing, to be completed by the end of 2026, provide access to affordable renewable electricity where rooftop solar is impractical and install reverse cycle air conditioning and implement other energy efficient retrofits to achieve safe temperatures in all social housing.
Key facts:
Heat-related illnesses kill thousands of Australians every year (1) by increasing heart attacks, strokes, kidney failure and other health impacts.
Roughly one-third of heat-related deaths in Australia are attributable to climate change (2,3).
Many social housing dwellings are poor quality and prone to temperature extremes (3-5).
A 2023 survey of people on low incomes by the Australian Council of Social Services found that 94.5% avoided using air conditioning because it is too expensive (6). [Healthy Futures, media release, 26 March 2024]
Text of the Letter
To: the Hon Chris Bowen, Federal Minister for Climate Change & Energy
Cc: the Hon Jenny McAllister, Federal Assistant Minister for Climate Change & Energy
& the Hon Mark Butler, Federal Minister for Health & Aged Care
& the Hon Jim Chalmers, Federal Treasurer
& the Hon Julie Collins, Federal Minister for Housing
& the Hon Amanda Rishworth, Federal Minister for Families and Social Services
Dear Minister Bowen,
As healthcare workers and community members, we request that the Australian government protect people in social housing from the increasing health impacts of climate change by ensuring that their homes are kept at safe temperatures through building retrofits and affordable, renewable-powered air conditioning.
Heat-related illnesses kill thousands of Australians every year (1) and roughly one-third of these deaths can be attributed to climate change (2,3). Heatwaves increase the risk of dehydration, kidney failure, heart attacks and strokes. Older people, children, people with pre-existing health conditions and people unable to afford air conditioning are most vulnerable.
Currently, many social housing dwellings are poor quality and prone to temperature extremes (4-6). A 2023 survey of people on low incomes by the Australian Council of Social Services found that 94.5% avoided using air conditioning because it is too expensive (7). Solar panels can significantly reduce air conditioning costs, and while 30% of Australian homes now have rooftop solar, rooftop solar coverage on social housing in New South Wales, for example, is only 7% (8).
Energy efficiency retrofits and renewable-powered air conditioning will not only protect people from extreme temperatures and drive down costs of living; they will also mitigate climate change and its health impacts in the long term by reducing dependence on polluting fossil fuel-based electricity.
We therefore request that as part of the next federal budget you commit funding to:
Roll out rooftop solar on at least 30% of Australian social housing, to be completed by the end of 2026
Ensure access to affordable renewable electricity for social housing where rooftop solar is impractical, e.g. via power purchasing agreements and/or battery storage
Install reverse cycle air conditioning and implement other energy efficient retrofits to achieve safe temperatures in all social housing.
Sincerely,
Signed by 25 organisations representing over 50,000 health professionals, including the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP), the Australasian College for Emergency Medicine (ACEM) and the Australasian College of Sports and Exercise Physicians (ACSEP)
References:
[1] https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanplh/article/PIIS2542-5196(21)00081-4/fulltext
[2]
[3]
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41558-021-01058-x
[4] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0378778822005205?via%3Dihub
[6]
https://www.shelterwa.org.au/stuck-in-the-heat/
[7]
https://www.acoss.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Heat-Survey-Report_20230228.pdf
[8]
“Extreme heat can trigger heart attacks, kidney failure, strokes and even death,” said Ursula Alquier, Healthy Futures Campaigner. “We want to see a commitment to ensure people living in social housing are able to live in safe and healthy homes”
“As healthcare workers, we are concerned about the health of our patients and our climate. People in social housing need energy-efficient homes with cheap renewable-powered air conditioning to protect their health” said Dr Harry Jennens, general practitioner and Healthy Futures Co-ordinator. [Healthy Futures, media release, 26 March 2024]
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NOTES
1. Healthy Futures is an affiliate of Friends of the Earth Australia and a member of the Climate and Health Alliance.
