A legislated duty of care to current and future generations is a step in the right direction to safeguard the rights, health and wellbeing of individuals in the face of an ongoing climate crisis, the Australian Medical Student Association told the Senate committee in evidence this week.

The Duty of Care Bill, introduced by independent Senator David Pocock, implores the federal government to consider the health and wellbeing of future generations when making decisions that are likely to contribute to climate change and increased greenhouse gas emissions.

In its evidence presented to the Senate, AMSA called on the federal government to support the Bill, noting the immense threat to human health and wellbeing posed by the climate crisis. Without considering our duty of care to future generations, AMSA noted that Australia cannot ensure the Australian healthcare infrastructure is capable of handling direct and indirect climate pressures.

“As future clinicians we are looking down the barrel of a health system under crisis. We worry of a health system that collapses under increasing health burdens without any strategies in place for resilience and sustainability,” said Heath Darrant, AMSA’s representative at the Senate inquiry.

“From our first moment in medical school, we are educated on the duty of care doctors owe to patients and fellow Australians. Ignoring the polycrisis to their health and wellbeing is an act of medical negligence, contradicting our fundamental duty as health practitioners. We are here today to ensure the government is held to the same standard we hold ourselves.”

“We implore the federal government to enshrine into legislation its duty of care to future generations, to learn from international best practice, and adopt evidence-based decision-making in consultation with young Australians.”

AMSA has a long history as an advocate for climate change, repeatedly citing that the federal government must prioritise reducing greenhouse gas emissions, creating a sustainable economy and placing health impacts at the centre of international negotiations surrounding climate change.

“Climate change is an existential emergency we cannot ignore. The world has already exceeded the 1.5 degrees Celsius warming threshold that will drastically increase the frequency and severity of climate-related issues,” said Zacch Seah, AMSA Code Green’s National Coordinator.

“Climate-related health effects, such as neglected tropical diseases, are not spared by this phenomenon. Indeed, as awareness of the link between climate change and health awareness grows, education about this issue is increasingly being emphasised in Australia’s medical universities and health institutions.”

“Therefore, we ask that the Australian Government continues to increase the use of renewable energy sources and reduce fossil fuel emissions in an expedient manner, whilst consulting with international stakeholders to discuss solutions to the health impacts of a transforming climate. Only then can we mitigate climate change’s worst effects.”

AMSA is the peak representative body for Australia’s 18,000 medical students. AMSA Code Green advocates for stronger climate health outcomes, environmental rights and fights for the health of our planet and the people who depend on it.