Xu Rongbin, Yu Pei, Liu Yanming, Chen Gongbo, Yang Zhengyu, Zhang Yiwen, Wu Yao, Beggs Paul J, Zhang Ying, Boocock Jennifer, Ji Fei, Hanigan Ivan, Jay Ollie, Bi Peng, Vargas Nicole, Leder Karin, Green Donna, Quail Katie, Huxley Rachel, Jalaludin Bin, Hu Wenbiao, Dennekamp Martine, Vardoulakis Sotiris, Bone Angie, Abrahams Jonathan, Johnston Fay H, Broome Richard, Capon Tony, Li Shanshan, Guo Yuming
Climate, Air Quality Research Unit, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia.
Faculty of Science and Engineering, School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia.
Lancet Reg Health West Pac. 2023 Nov 15;40:100936. doi: 10.1016/j.lanwpc.2023.100936. eCollection 2023 Nov.
Climate change presents a major public health concern in Australia, marked by unprecedented wildfires, heatwaves, floods, droughts, and the spread of climate-sensitive infectious diseases. Despite these challenges, Australia's response to the climate crisis has been inadequate and subject to change by politics, public sentiment, and global developments. This study illustrates the spatiotemporal patterns of selected climate-related environmental extremes (heatwaves, wildfires, floods, and droughts) across Australia during the past two decades, and summarizes climate adaptation measures and actions that have been taken by the national, state/territory, and local governments. Our findings reveal significant impacts of climate-related environmental extremes on the health and well-being of Australians. While governments have implemented various adaptation strategies, these plans must be further developed to yield concrete actions. Moreover, Indigenous Australians should not be left out in these adaptation efforts. A collaborative, comprehensive approach involving all levels of government is urgently needed to prevent, mitigate, and adapt to the health impacts of climate change.
气候变化是澳大利亚主要的公共卫生问题,其特征是前所未有的野火、热浪、洪水、干旱以及气候敏感型传染病的传播。尽管面临这些挑战,澳大利亚应对气候危机的措施并不充分,且易受政治、公众情绪和全球形势变化的影响。本研究阐述了过去二十年澳大利亚境内选定的与气候相关的极端环境事件(热浪、野火、洪水和干旱)的时空模式,并总结了国家、州/领地和地方政府已采取的气候适应措施及行动。我们的研究结果揭示了与气候相关的极端环境事件对澳大利亚人健康和福祉的重大影响。虽然政府已实施了各种适应战略,但这些计划必须进一步完善以产生具体行动。此外,澳大利亚原住民不应被排除在这些适应努力之外。迫切需要各级政府采取协作、全面的方法来预防、减轻和适应气候变化对健康的影响。