Dear signers,

We are experiencing an unprecedented time this year - from bushfires to floods and now the coronavirus pandemic. Many Australians began the year with climate change action at the forefront of their agenda but soon the focus shifted towards managing COVID-19. Given that the pandemic is not ending any time soon, how do we restart conversation about climate change?

It is important to acknowledge the relationship between climate change and the risk of pandemics such as COVID-19. Zoonotic diseases - those that come from animals - are expected to increase in a warming world. Increased temperature not only encourages the spread of pathogens, but also forces animals (who are carriers of disease) to migrate to new habitats, close to humans.[1]

Last year, the Australian Medical Association declared climate change as a “health emergency.” [2] The evidence of the impact of climate change on human health is irrefutable. It is simply a lack of political will at the Federal Government level due to which we haven’t seen any policy action.

Despite all of its challenges, the pandemic has demonstrated the potential we have for successful collective action. What was considered economically and politically impossible, has become our everyday life. Within days, people have changed their behaviours.

Let us keep the conversation about climate change going so when we have breathing space, we are ready to remind the government that a climate emergency still looms on us. Please share the petition.

[1] The Saturday Paper - Govt ignores health risks of climate change
[2] AMA - Climate change is a health emergency