Vector Volume 11 Issue 2 - 2017

Coal combustion affects the water as well as the air.
Rising water temperatures linked to climate change will
cause further aerosolisation of marine toxins, thereby
increasing respiratory disease prevalence globally.[7]
Asthmatics exposed to the harmful algal bloom Karenia
brevis’ marine aerosols on the south east coast of the
United States of America (USA) experienced respiratory
symptoms after just one hour of exposure. Inland
residents experienced an average of 3.49 symptoms,
more than coastal residents, who experienced an
average of 2.24 symptoms.[13] This suggests that
aerosolisation of marine toxins will increase respiratory
morbidity as climate change related aerosols proliferate
and distribute further afield.
The cardiovascular burden of disease will worsen
in the future if action is not taken now to reduce the
impacts of climate change.[7] Airborne particulate
matter is associated with compromised heart function,
atherosclerotic disease, deep vein thrombosis,[14] and
pulmonary embolism.[15] The particulates contributing
to air pollution include black carbon, sulphates, nitrates,
a complex mixture of metals and other byproducts
from the incomplete combustion
of fossil fuels.[16] In areas with long term
exposure to high levels of particulate matter
air pollution, it was found that an increase
of just 10 ug/m3 is associated with a 70%
increase in DVT risk.[15] Ozone is another
key pollutant - exposure to a 10g/m3
increment has demonstrated an increase
in the risk of cardiopulmonary mortality by 1.014 times.
[14] Both particulate matter and ozone type air pollution
cause adverse cardiovascular outcomes.
Increased global temperatures will exacerbate heat
related deaths due to an increased frequency of heat
stress events.[7] Untreated heat exhaustion can progress
to heat stroke,[17] of which 15% of cases are fatal.[18]
Heat related health events typically occur on the same
day as initial exposure.[19] Emergency departments (ED)
in Brisbane have demonstrated that during days ≥35°C,
elderly patients were 1.9 times as likely to present
to the ED and 3.75 times as likely to present due to
heat-related complications specifically.[20] Based on
current modelling of Brisbane’s population growth, ED
presentations on days ≥35°C and the projected climate
change related temperature increases, it is predicted to
cause a 125-2065% increase in excess visits by 2060.
[20] Consequently, political inaction now will continue to
worsen the burden on public ED services.
In areas with long term
exposure to high levels of
particulate matter air pollution,
it was found that an increase of
just 10 ug/m3 is associated with
a 70% increase in DVT risk.
[22] This emerging group of environmentally displaced
people will need support to cope.[23] Climate change
has the potential to create disasters beyond the capacity
of developing nations’ public health systems.[24] Action
must be taken to reduce the impact of climate change
for the sake of public health. The global community is
interconnected and each nation has the responsibility to
reduce its contributions to climate change. Consequently,
the impact of the planned Carmichael mine site and its
extensive environmental damage will have substantial
impact on human health into the future.
Locally, coal worker’s pneumoconiosis has reemerged
in Queensland with at least 20 cases recently
diagnosed, highlighting the lack of appropriate health
protection within the Queensland coal industry.[25] If the
Queensland and Australian governments can’t manage
these Occupational Health and Safety issues at home,
how can they contribute to the ‘safe’ delivery and burning
of this coal in Adani’s power stations in India – a country
where air pollution already kills an estimated 1.1 million
people annually.[26] If the mine proceeds, the flow on
effects of poor governing locally will
have detrimental health impacts on a
global scale.
Environmental Implications
The establishment of the
proposed Carmichael coal mine
and its shipping impact will damage
vital ecosystems and reshape the lives and health of the
people reliant on waterways and reefs. More than 500
million people around the planet rely on coral reefs for
food, income and storm protection.[29] Climate related
changes in waves, ocean circulation, cyclone frequency,
temperature and precipitation will impact fisheries in
tropical Queensland and further north.[30] Additionally,
fisheries in our region may be contaminated by chemicals
released into seawater by the mine and from increased
shipping traffic. This will have economic, social and
health implications and affect the productivity of the
seafood industry in Australia and surrounding nations,
especially those that rely on it as a major industry and
cultural cornerstone.[30] Climate change associated
contamination of food staples is also likely to impact on
nutrition and human development.[7] In parallel, the social
aspects of recreational fishing are also highly sensitive
to climate change.[30] Thus, along with the state of the
environment, multiple social determinants of health are
at risk of declining for our coastal communities.
The psychological impacts of climate change are
generally indirect and have only recently been considered
as part of the widespread impacts of climate change on
health. Extreme weather events can lead to mental health
disorders associated with loss, displacement and social
disruption. This can increase anxiety about the future, with
already-disadvantaged communities most likely to suffer
the most severe consequences.[21] Two hundred million
people will be displaced by climate change by 2050.
Implications for Australia
In Central Queensland, the proposed Adani mine
will see more than 10,000 hectares of native bushland
cleared from around the Galilee Basin. Combined
with the Carmichael mine’s generous water licence
enabling unlimited groundwater use from the Great
Artesian Basin,[31] this has huge potential for irreversible
environmental damage.
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