Commercial Determinants Drive Political Determinants of Health in a Neoliberal Society: Comment on "Energy as a Social and Commercial Determinant of Health: A Qualitative Study of Australian Policy"

TL;DR

The paper discusses how commercial interests, especially the fossil fuel industry, heavily influence Australia's energy policies, which in turn affect public health and the environment.

Contribution

The paper highlights the intersection of commercial and political determinants of health in shaping energy policies in Australia.

Findings

Australia's energy policies are heavily influenced by commercial entities in the fossil fuel industry.

Environmental laws in Australia are insufficient to protect nature and the environment.

There is a clear conflict between environmental advocates and industry interests in shaping energy and environmental policies.

Abstract

Energy policies have a major impact on the health and well-being of the population. However, Australia’s energy policies rarely consider health and well-being in their policies. In Australia and in many other countries, energy policies, while developed by governments, are heavily influenced by commercial entities within the fossil fuel industry. This means that Australia’s energy policy does not reflect what climate science tells us is necessary for a safe climate. Australia’s environmental laws are insufficient to protect both nature and the environment. Environment and climate advocates have been urging the Australian government to strengthen these laws while industry, particularly the mining industry have been pushing to weaken them. This clearly demonstrates the strong intersection between commercial and political determinants of health.