CAMPAIGN BRIEF CLIMATE HEALTH CHAMPIONS Our Climate Our Health is a campaign The progress we’ve made for a National Strategy on Climate, We have secured the support of many of Health and Well-being for Australia. Australia’s leading healthcare stakeholders. The Greens support the framework for a Our goals are: National Strategy and the Australian Labor Party has declared that they will implement • to scale up capacity within the a National Strategy on Climate, Health and health sector to respond to the Well-being based on our framework if challenges of climate change to elected to government. human health and well-being; http://bit.ly/2ND9TQS • to secure the development and implementation of comprehensive We also secured commitments to support National Strategy on Climate, and advocate for the development of a Health and Well-being for Australia. National Strategy from key cross-benchers, including: Zali Steggall, Independent for Warringah; Andrew Wilkie, Independent for Why we need a National Strategy Denison; and Helen Haines, Independent While climate change poses a substantial for Indi. risk to human health, there is strong evidence to show that actions to address This work is also influencing state it would be tremendously beneficial for government policy, with the Qld Human human health and reduce health costs. Health and Wellbeing Climate Change Adaptation Plan (H-CAP) drawing on this Australia has no national policy to respond Framework. The Tasmanian Department to the health risks of climate change. of Health and WA Department of Health are utlising the framework to guide policy, Australia lags behind comparable countries along with local governments in Victoria in in its response to the health risks of the their public health and wellbeing plans. climate crisis. In the absence of government action, CAHA has led the development of a Framework for a National Why we need Climate Health Champions Strategy on Climate, Health and Well- We believe health professionals have a being. http://bit.ly/FNSCHWA responsibility, but also a tremendous opportunity, to act on the climate crisis. A National Strategy will: Health professionals are uniquely placed to talk about climate and health. • help Australia meet its international obligations under the Paris agreement; You are among the most trusted • provide a comprehensive approach to professions and can speak on health addressing the health risks of climate issues with authority. And climate change change; is a health issue. • ensure policies to reduce emissions The more health professionals who also reduce risks to health; advocate on climate, health and well- being to their colleagues, • maximise co-benefits for health and parliamentarians and people of well-being, and support climate influence, the harder it is for resilience in the health sector. governments to resist. Support Resources We need to demonstrate the strong and At present you can find a wealth of online broad consensus in support of a National resources at www.ourclimate- Strategy on Climate, Health and Well- ourhealth.org.au to assist your advocacy. being that exists in the health sector in Australia if we are to achieve our policy The Advocacy Toolkit guides you goal. In order to do that, we need a strong through the process of meeting your network of Climate-Health Champions to Member of Parliament from start to finish, be effective. including email templates. http://bit.ly/OCOH_ATC The Climate and Health Alliance (CAHA) provides training for Climate-Health The website also contains a downloadable Champions, and our Campaign Organiser Pledge for your MP to sign, posters for can provide some support and advice to your workplace, background papers and assist Climate-Health Champions be reports – see ‘Resources’ tab. effective in this role. CAHA’s Campaigns http://bit.ly/OCOHPledge and Programs Manager provides We can also provide PowerPoint guidance on program development and presentations for you to share support. information about the campaign in your workplace / with your colleagues. CAHA staff can: Actions you can take straight away • guide you to useful information and Write to the Federal Health Minister resources We have a handy postcard to the • provide advice on the best Federal Health Minister for you to sign, approach to take when meeting asking to make a national strategy on Climate, Health and Well- being a priority. your MP or discussing the issue at work Email your MP – and encourage others to! • help find others in your area who Let your Member of Parliament know this is an want to be involved issue of concern to you. Our online tool provides a prepared email for you to send: In addition, regular web-based http://bit.ly/OCOHSMP teleconferences and webinars are available to provide ongoing networking Meet your local MP and skills and knowledge development One of the most effective actions you can take which, as Climate Health Champions, you is to visit your local Member of Parliament and are able to attend. urge them to support a National Strategy on Climate, Health and Well-being. The Workshop Support through a network of peers: includes a session to build confidence to do We are most effective and powerful when this and the Toolkit provides further guidance. we work together. We are encouraging the establishment of local hubs of Have Climate Conversations Climate-Health Champions to bring By talking to others, you can help to highlight shared experiences, skills and knowledge the health impacts of climate change, raise awareness that we must take action to the group. immediately, and promote solutions, eg With regular check-ins with our national strategy on climate, health & Campaign Organiser and a wealth of wellbeing. combined experience from participants, this is a useful way to build a network of If you have ideas for resources not currently available, or have any questions about this allies and further develop skills and information, please contact knowledge. [email protected] .