The College acknowledges the substantive evidence to suggest that the impacts of climate change are creating a global health emergency and that these effects are being felt especially by rural and remote communities in Australia and across the world.

A global health emergency calls for an emergency response, and immediate and sustained action is required to minimise the impact of climate change. Australia needs to take much greater steps to mitigate and adapt to bring climate change under control to save lives and protect health.

ACRRM’s Climate and Health Position Statement calls on government at all levels to apply a “rural-proofing lens” to climate change policy to ensure the health of our population living in rural and remote Australia.

ACRRM will:

  • Continue to join global efforts to raise awareness of the impacts of climate change on human health and to advocate for positive action
  • Support the development of National Climate Change and Health Strategy to facilitate planning for future climate health impacts, and rural research into the health effects of climate changes
  • Promote  the  role  of  the  Rural  Generalist  in  responding  to  the  burden  of  non-communicable disease resulting from climate change such as mental illness, to provide high quality care, and keep people healthy and out of hospital
  • Review its curriculum and training programs to reflect the related emerging priorities for Rural Generalist practice
  • Promote environmental sustainability within its own operations and the health sector more  broadly,  and  support  members  in  their  efforts  to  do  the  same  within  their  own practices and work environments.
We encourage members to join the Climate Change and Health Discussion Group on ACRRM Connect and initiate a discussion or share information and resources. You can also contact the policy team at policy@acrrm.org.au with any questions or suggestions.