The World Health Organisation predicts that by 2030, climate change will cause an extra 250,000 deaths per year.

Nobel Laureate Professor Peter Doherty says in the longer term, the numbers could be 'infinitely worse' caused less by the spread of infectious diseases, but by the health impacts of food insecurity and social disruption.

The former Australian of the Year says that developing a national strategy on climate and health should be a priority for the new Turnbull Government.