Doctors for the Environment Australia is the leading medical voice on health and climate.

We work with communities and health professionals to respond to the health effects of climate change through practical support, education, and by encouraging strong government action to reduce pollution.

Your support helps us protect the health of families, workplaces, and communities — now and into the future.

Vale Emeritus Professor David Shearman AM PhD FRACP FRCPE

On behalf of the DEA community, I extend my deepest condolences to David's family, friends, colleagues, and all those who were inspired by him.

David was a man of immense vision and drive, who devoted his life to protecting human and environmental health. Along with the late Emeritus Professor Tony McMichael he co-founded our organisation in 2001, at a time when the need to protect planetary health and its inextricable link to human health were barely recognised. David's foresight and tenacity established the foundation for DEA to be the strong credible medical voice it is today.

All of us at DEA stand on his shoulders and we owe him an enormous debt of gratitude.

David was a formidable intellect and an indefatigable advocate. In addition to co-founding DEA he served as President of the Conservation Council of South Australia, from 1991-1994. He was highly recognised for his contributions, receiving the Tony McMichael Public Health, Ecology and Environment Award in 2013, being appointed a Members of the Order of Australia “for significant service to medicine in the fields of gastroenterology and environmental health, particularly the impact of global climate change on health" in 2015, and received the Public Health Association of Australia's "Lifelong Work dedicated to Health and the Environment" award in 2023.

David was also a gifted speaker, painter and author. In 1997 he wrote "Green or Gone" with Gary Sauer-Thomspon and in 2007 he co-published "The Climate Change Challenge and the Failure of Democracy" with philosopher and ecologist Joseph Wayne Smith.

He wrote hundred of reports and articles. His last, co-authored with Melissa Haswell and Anne Poelina "If fracking belongs in the Kimberley, it could damage a sacred river" was published on February the 10th this year.

David, we thank you for your extraordinary contribution. Your legacy will continue to guide, to strengthen and to inspire us.

Kate Wylie, ED DEA.

Join us to celebrate 25 years of Doctors for the Environment Australia with our Anniversary Gala on the 24th of April, starting at 7pm.

Our gala will be a special night of festivities, with entertainers, thought leaders, music and dance. We are inviting all our friends, allies, supporters and members to help us celebrate our organisation and support us to keep going for another 25 years and more.

All are welcome.

Our celebration will mark the outstanding contribution that Doctors for the Environment makes to to ensure a healthy planet for healthy people.

Tickets Available Now