Fossil fuels are a health emergency - it’s time for Australia to act
- Zephlyn Taylor
- 5 hours ago
- 2 min read
Fossil fuels don’t just pollute our air and heat the planet - they pollute our bodies, our communities and our health. A new report, Cradle to Grave: The Health Toll of Fossil Fuels and the Imperative for a Just Transition, makes one thing painfully clear: fossil fuels are harming human health at every stage of life, from foetal development to old age. Every stage of fossil fuel production, from mine to smokestack, is harming human health, often irreversibly.
This is about our health
We often think pollution starts when fuels are burned, but the damage begins much earlier. Fossil fuels release dangerous pollutants throughout their entire lifecycle:
Mining and extraction expose communities to heavy metals, radioactive materials, and carcinogens.
Refining and transport release toxic chemicals that damage lungs, hearts, and brains.
Combustion generates fine particulate matter (PM2.5), a silent killer linked to stroke, asthma, cancer, and early death.
Waste and legacy pollution persist for decades, contaminating water, soil, and food chains.
These exposures begin in the womb and compound throughout life - particularly impacting children, the elderly, and people already living with illness or disadvantage. And many of the pollutants accumulate over time, so communities exposed repeatedly face worsening health over generations.
The cost of inaction
In 2022, global fossil fuel subsidies hit US$7 trillion. These subsidies don’t just fund polluting energy - they underwrite health harm, climate impacts, and environmental collapse.
Meanwhile, the shift to clean energy has never been more affordable. Solar and wind are now cheaper than coal or gas in much of the world, including Australia, and transitioning could prevent millions of premature deaths globally through cleaner air alone.
A just, healthy transition
The report issues a bold, health‑centred roadmap:
Stop new fossil fuel exploration and phase out existing production.
End subsidies and shift funding toward health, clean energy, and resilient infrastructure.
Hold polluters accountable (via the “Polluter Pays” principle) so communities don’t shoulder the costs.
Strengthen community-led research and decision-making, ensuring affected people drive solutions.
Clamp down on fossil fuel advertising and disinformation — much like tobacco control.
Align global finance and institutions (banks, development agencies) with climate-health goals.
Mobilise the health sector as a leader, decarbonizing operations, amplifying health voices, and championing equitable transition.
Australia has a choice
Australia stands at a crossroads. We can remain tied to industries that harm our health, or we can lead a transition to a cleaner, healthier future.
As the impacts of fossil fuel pollution grow, the evidence is clear: climate action is health action. It’s time for Australia to step up, phase out fossil fuels, and protect our communities now and for generations to come.
For more details, read the full report Cradle to Grave: The Health Toll of Fossil Fuels and the Imperative for a Just Transition by the Global Climate and Health Alliance.