Globally and nationally, there is growing recognition of the critical need for action on climate change. From international organisations such as the United Nations and Australian research bodies such as the CSIRO, the evidence is clear on the science of climate change and there are calls for that evidence to inform government action. It is also clear from the science that the need for action is becoming more urgent.

This paper considers some of the specific threats to health posed by climate change, and possible health and policy measures for rural and remote areas in light of these risks. The paper focuses on three areas of particular relevance for rural and remote Australia:

1. extreme weather events
2. food security
3. vector-borne disease