Publications on climate change and the health of populations are burgeoning,1,2 and the relationship between climate change and government actions continues to provoke heated international debate.3,4 Climate is well known to affect the mental health of individuals.5,6 In addition, and of relevance to governments, the relationship between a sense of health and well-being and voter behaviour has been examined.7 However, although it is recognised that climate can affect voter turnout, and elections have been disrupted by inclement weather,8,9 the link between climate and government change has hitherto received no attention in the international literature.
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I thank Dr Rick Iedema, University of New South Wales, Sydney, for discussion about the hypothesis tested in this study.
I have worked for the media organisations Fairfax and the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, have voted in elections and have prayed for fine weather.