{"id":31955,"date":"2016-04-05T23:02:51","date_gmt":"2016-04-05T13:02:51","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/nofibs.com.au\/?p=31955"},"modified":"2019-04-16T13:31:14","modified_gmt":"2019-04-16T03:31:14","slug":"doctors-prescribe-latrobe-valley-coal-closure-for-our-health-and-a-safe-climate-reports-takvera","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/archive.nofibs.com.au\/doctors-prescribe-latrobe-valley-coal-closure-for-our-health-and-a-safe-climate-reports-takvera\/","title":{"rendered":"Doctors prescribe LaTrobe Valley #coal closure for our health and a safe #climate reports @takvera"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Doctors

Doctors deliver open letter to Victorian Premier to close coal power stations for health and a safe climate<\/p><\/div>\nOver 300 health professionals have signed an open letter calling on the Victorian Premier to urgently nominate a time frame for closing down the harmful coal-fired power plants in the Latrobe Valley, and developing a transition plan for the local community.<\/p>\n

The letter was delivered to Parliament on Tuesday 5th April 2016. The Parliamentary Secretary for Health Mary-Anne Thomas accepted the letter on the Premier\u2019s behalf.<\/p>\n

The Latrobe Valley\u2019s four ageing power plants need to be retired, and a plan needs to be put into place to ensure a just and healthy transition away from the coal industry for the local communities, to protect their future health and economic prosperity. (See my report June 2015 report: Latrobe Valley: Finding Hope in #Morwell at #climate ground zero<\/a>).<\/p>\n

The letter was organised by medical advocacy organisations Doctors for the Environment Australia, the Climate and Health Alliance, and Healthy Futures.<\/p>\n

We know that pollution from coal burning causes cardiovascular, respiratory and neurological diseases, as well as lung cancers. It also contributes to the reduced life expectancy of residents in the Latrobe Valley compared with those in other regions in Gippsland, and Victoria overall. Children in the Latrobe Valley are below the state average in key areas of health, according to health professionals. (See Doctors for the Environment detailed submission (PDF)<\/a> to the Hazelwood Coal Mine Fire Inquiry 2015) <\/p>\n

These health harms also place pressure on the Victorian public purse. Hazelwood incurs health and social costs estimated to be around $900 million per year.<\/p>\n

\"Social

Social cost of Victorian coal power generation from a 2015 study.<\/p><\/div>\n

Coal is also a major contributor to climate change. We already see these impacts through increase in temperatures resulting in extreme heat events and heat waves and devastating bushfires.<\/p>\n

The health professionals stress that there are many good alternatives to coal-fired power, and what is needed is a planned transition to clean energy such as solar and wind power which will improve health and job prospects of locals.<\/p>\n

Professor Peter Brooks articulated in a media statement, \u201cWe must stick to pledges made in Paris 2015 to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions – Victoria has probably already used up its carbon budget to keep global warming less than 1.5 degree C, while Australia\u2019s emissions are continuing to increase.” <\/p>\n

\u201cFailure to act on our outdated coal industry is unconscionable, given the harm it has on public health. Doctors, nurses and other health professionals have a duty of care to our patients and we must speak out against coal much like we did in the anti-tobacco campaign.\u201c<\/p>\n

Associate Professor Grant Blashki said in the associated media statement, \u201cAustralia is like a grumpy old smoker who refuses to give up even as the price of cigarettes goes up and up- the real price of coal when the health costs are included is enormous and growing. Overseas, many places are switching off these polluting plants. Last year, the UK government announced it was closing all coal-fired electricity plants by 2025. Scotland burnt its last supplies of coal last week.\u201d <\/p>\n

Professor Rob Moodie, Director of Teaching and Learning at the Melbourne School of Population Health, said in the media statement, “The Victorian Government has a golden opportunity to lock in better health outcomes for people in the Latrobe Valley. Residents of the Valley have suffered enough from the health impacts of coal pollution. As a former Minister for Health, Premier Andrews understands the need to create a healthier future, as well as an economically brighter future for those in the Valley.”<\/p>\n

\n

'The Andrews Government is committed to transforming our energy sector for our health & the environment' #springst<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/ZRyM5j1VPy<\/a><\/p>\n

— Mary-Anne Thomas MP (@MaryAnneThomas) April 4, 2016<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n