After decades of inaction on climate change, the health sector must rapidly adapt to the new climate realities facing Australia. It must develop plans and protocols to minimise the harm caused by climate disasters. It must ensure the supply of healthcare services can continue in the face of disaster. It must communicate with the public about the increasing risks to their physical and mental health. And when climate disasters occur, it must provide mental health support not just during the crisis but for decades after.

Droughts create and exacerbate mental health problems in rural communities. Heatwaves harm children and the elderly more than others. Australia’s health response to climate change must be tailored to, and driven by, the communities that will need the most help. These are long-term health threats that require long-term planning. The Commonwealth Department of Health must incorporate the clear link between climate change and human health in its short-, medium-, and long-term strategies.

For the health sector, responding to climate change is not an optional extra - it is core business. In 2020, Australia listened to the science and acted on the health advice to prevent some of the catastrophic health costs caused by COVID-19. Now we must do it again.

Key recommendations:

• Australia’s governments should address in long-term planning the health risks posed by climate change.
• Establish a national climate change and health forum.
• Climate-change health risks should be clearly communicated to the public.