Hundreds of doctors across Australia have reportedly welcomed the British Medical Association's (BMA) announcement this week, to divest from fossil fuels during its annual general meeting. The good news for transport is the divestment in fossil fuels is targeting the energy industry rather than transport at the moment.
Lobby group, Doctors for the Environment Australia (DEA), is urging all health practitioners and their institutions to follow the example of the BMA.
“The movement of investments out of fossil fuels is something doctors should all actively pursue as part of our duty of care to our patients,” said spokesperson for DEA, Dr Helen Redmond who is a physician in Sydney.
“The urgency to act now to protect the health of current and future generations could not be clearer.
“A swift transition to renewables for power generation will deliver a big health dividend from reduction in air pollution caused by the mining and combustion of coal. The health costs from coal are over $2.6 billion a year in Australia.”