Following Healthy Futures' successful work lobbying the Minister for Climate Change on the urgent need to regulate accurate measurement of methane emissions from coal and gas, we have now compiled Australia's first report on the health effects of methane pollution.
The report will be released on Tuesday the 26th of November. Healthy Futures' work on methane is currently focusing on the three key areas:
- Corporate shareholder pressure on Australia's largest methane polluters through our supporter base's health superannuation investments
- The strengthening of Australia’s nationally determined contributions under the UN Convention on Climate Change, with targeted efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and
- Launching new initiatives in New South Wales to address methane emissions from the state’s major coal and gas operations.
The report is a clarion call for addressing the health impacts of coal and gas methane emissions:
Because of methane’s role in causing and exacerbating climate change, the health benefits from reducing it in the atmosphere will save the planet and lives.
The health risks associated with climate change are not to be underestimated - they are wide-ranging and life-threatening. Climate health impacts are also simultaneously slow-emerging as well as rapidly unfolding and escalating. For example, increasingly frequent and extreme weather events like heatwaves, floods, and droughts directly impact human health daily around the globe - causing deadly heatstroke, physical injuries, and the spread of illnesses. Rising temperatures also worsen air quality, with increased smog and allergens that trigger asthma attacks and other respiratory problems. Climate change also affects health security by disrupting food production and distribution systems, leading to malnutrition and food insecurity. These factors combined create a significant burden on healthcare systems and threaten the well-being of populations around the globe.
Beyond the immediate climate impact, reducing methane emissions from coal and gas production is critical for protecting public health from air pollution. When catalysed with volatile organic compounds, methane leaks from these industries contribute to the formation of ground-level ozone, a toxic lung irritant linked to respiratory problems like asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and even heart disease. By advocating for a significant reduction in methane emissions, we are asking for meaningful climate action to ensure cleaner air and healthier communities.
Report Launch Details
Be part of an important moment advocating for meaningful climate action to ensure a healthier future and join Healthy Futures for the launch of our report on the health impacts of methane pollution at Sydney’s UNSW on Tuesday, the 26th of November, at 3pm AEDT
| METHANE & HEALTH REPORT LAUNCH RSVP HERE |
The event will convene health professionals, climate scientists, policymakers, and journalists to discuss the critical need for urgent methane reduction. The discussion will centre on the report's findings and the necessary actions to safeguard public health and address climate change by curbing methane emissions.
Key speakers at the event include:
- Federal AMA Chair of the Public Health Committee and immediate past NSW AMA President Dr Michael Bonning
- Climate and health advocate and Western Sydney GP, Dr Kim Loo
- NSW Nurses and Midwives Association's Muswellbrook nurse Peggy Smith, and
- UNSW methane researcher Hannah Beaton
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The release of this report will be a watershed moment. It will mark the beginning of the next steps of our important work lobbying for the urgent reduction of methane emissions from coal and gas operations. |
Event Details:
- Date: Tuesday, 26th November
- Time: 3PM
- Location: The Kirby Room at UNSW, Kensington, Sydney
If you have any questions about this campaign, please contact our Fossil Fuels Campaigner Bronwyn at [email protected]