Episode 134. Health Impacts on Climate Change with Professor Richard

The World Health Organisation estimates that between 2030 and 2050, climate change is anticipated to result in approximately 250,000 additional deaths annually. These fatalities may arise from issues such as malnutrition, and heat stress, as well as diseases like malaria and infectious diarrhoea. The impact of a planet warming at a recorded rate of 0.08 degrees centigrade per decade since 1880, accelerating to 0.18 degrees centigrade since 1981, poses threats to human lives and health across multiple dimensions. It's important to note that this statement does not delve into the detrimental potential such warming has on other species. Factors crucial to human survival—such as clean air, safe drinking water, a nutritious food supply, and secure shelter—are all imperilled in a world grappling with climate change. In this podcast, my intention was not to focus on the specific science of global warming and subsequent climate change, but rather on the associated health consequences.

Despite the numerous pledges made by countries in various climate forums, global emissions in 2022 are projected to reach an unprecedented peak. However, there is a positive note to highlight—Australia managed to reduce its emissions by 1.9% in 2021. The historical responsibility for emissions lies significantly with the United States, followed by China, Russia, and Brazil.

Undoubtedly intertwined with atmospheric emissions and consequent climate change is the world's population, which is growing at an alarming rate. Thomas Malthus, in his Essay on 'the principle of population' in the 1800s, once predicted its unsustainability. Today, with a population exceeding 8 billion, the United Nations forecasts a peak population of about 10.4 billion by the 2080s, noting that the "peak baby" phase has already been reached, leading to a measurable slowdown in population growth. Time will undoubtedly affirm the accuracy of these figures in history. It's crucial to mention that an expanding population, particularly a growing wealthier middle class in many countries worldwide, is likely to result in increased greenhouse gas emissions, heightened resource consumption, and will test humanity's capacity to solve ecological problems arising from the collective global burden we carry.

My curiosity to delve deeper into this subject led me to invite Professor Richard Eckard to join the podcast and further enrich the discussion. Richard, a Professor of Sustainable Agriculture at The University of Melbourne and Director of The Primary Industries Climate Challenges Centre is a globally recognised authority on sustainable agricultural production. His focus includes carbon-neutral agriculture and agricultural adaptation to climate change. Richard's significant contributions encompass developing the initial greenhouse gas accounting tools for agriculture. Moreover, his research forms the scientific foundation for six carbon offset methods currently employed in Australia. Serving as a science advisor to various governments and international organisations such as the Australian, New Zealand, and UK governments, the International Livestock Research Institute, the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations, and the European Union, Richard provides invaluable counsel on climate change adaptation and mitigation in agriculture. Additionally, he represents Australia in the Global Research Alliance on Agricultural Greenhouse Gases.

Please welcome Richard to the podcast.

References:

• Professor Richard Eckard: rjeckard@unimelb.edu.au

• www.who.int/health-topics/climate-change

• "The Weather Makers" by Tim Flannery, Text Publishing

• National Geographic (multiple references)