Carbon Emissions Make Us Sick

I've mentioned before the health effects of climate change (see the poster). But now someone's put some numbers to it - in the report Our Uncashed Dividend.

It turns out that coal burning costs Australia $2.6 billion dollars in health effects, and that transport emissions damage our health to the tune of $3.3 billion dollars (with air pollution accounting for more deaths than the road toll.)

Additionally, increases walking and cycling would reduce the instances of heart and lung disease, obesity, cancer, depression and dementia.

On a similar theme, an international study estimates a health benefit of $46 for each tonne of carbon dioxide emission avoided. By comparison, it seems to me that Australia's carbon price of $23 per tonne, rather undervalues our health.