September 13, 2021 - Doctors for the Environment Australia supports the development of national Sustainable Healthcare Unit to coordinate environmentally sustainable initiatives in health care and reduce its carbon footprint. It would: standardise and benchmark the measurement of carbon emissions; develop a road map for, ...
Our Work
Human health depends upon a healthy environment.
The current age of scientific innovation has meant humans have become a dominant influence in shaping the natural world. This has raised the stakes and meant an unprecedented capacity to degrade our natural environment.
While great progress has been made in improving human health, particular in Australia and other OECD countries, local and global environmental degradation now threaten those gains.
DEA urges governments to address the current and future impacts of environmental degradation on human health.
Doctors for the Environment Australia (DEA) is an organisation of doctors who recognise that human health and wellbeing require an environment:
- free of pollution
- capable of providing nutritious food
- rich in biodiversity
- able to provide for current and future generations sustainably.
Doctors group applauds sensible comments on coal closure
September 13, 2021 - It is of great importance that NSW phases out electricity generation from coal this decade, so we are relieved to hear the NSW Energy and Environment Minister Hon Matt Kean ...
Young People’s Climate Anxiety is Valid; Not Caused By So-Called “Alarmist” Activism
September 2, 2021 - – Recent efforts by two Liberal MPs to link mental health problems in young people to “alarmist” climate activism in an effort to secure extra funding for the school chaplaincy ...
How Climate Change Affects Your Health: The Facts
August 30, 2021 - – We’re proud to launch our new briefing document: How Climate Change Affects Your Health: The Facts.
Make a #NaturePact
August 27, 2021 - DEA is excited to partner with the People and Parks Foundation in this year’s #NaturePact campaign, which runs from 1-30 September. So, why don’t you sign up for September’s #NaturePact as a way to ...
Hunter Power Project (Kurri Kurri Power Station)
August 17, 2021 - Doctors for the Environment Australia made a submission to the New South Wales Department of Planning, Industry and Environment In June 2021 in regards to the Kurri Kurri Power Station. ...
Climate Change and Sustainability: Leadership and Action from Australian Doctors
August 16, 2021 - Australia’s healthcare sector is estimated to contribute to 7% of Australia’s total carbon footprint, yet climate change is contributing to life-threatening illnesses and deaths. Many in the healthcare sector are ...
Beetaloo Cooperative Drilling Program
August 6, 2021 - DEA recently submitted a submission on the Industry Research and Development (BeetalooCooperative Drilling Program) Instrument. DEA has raised five key concerns about the Beetaloo Cooperative Drilling Program: The program will ...
DEA joins statement from civil society organisations: Australia must slash climate pollution this decade
August 6, 2021 - August 6th, 2021 The political debate about climate change in Australia is stuck on whether the Federal Government should commit to net zero climate pollution by 2050. This is largely ...
Media release: Doctors slam the Morrison Government’s decision to reject Steggall’s climate bill
July 14, 2021 - Australia’s doctors are dismayed that the Morrison Government has rejected Zali Steggall’s climate change bill, which was tabled today, despite the need to protect public health from the deadly consequences ...
MEDIA RELEASE: Doctors call for emergency National Heritage Listing for takayna/ Tarkine – for health’s sake
June 28, 2021 - Tasmanian doctors have today written an open letter to federal Environment Minister Sussan Ley, calling for an emergency National Heritage Listing of takayna/ Tarkine on health grounds. The Tasmanian Committee of Doctors ...
Is Your Diet Harming the Planet?
June 22, 2021 - Your diet could be taking a toll on the planet in ways that you might not have realised. Fortunately, significantly reducing your impact is actually quite easy—and will likely yield ...
Mr Morrison, the G7 Summit and the report “Biodiversity, Natural Capital and the Economy”
June 10, 2021 - “When Mr Morrison arrives at the G7 Leaders Summit later this week he will have before him a report on Biodiversity and if he reads and understands it he will ...
We need to lead the way
June 8, 2021 - “One of the principles as doctors is to first cause no harm, and through our own emissions we are causing harm,” says Dr John Van Der Kallen. “We need to ...
Hospital environmental sustainability: end of the beginning
May 31, 2021 - “Early in May 2021, the Victorian Government released the updated Victoria’s Climate Change Strategy. The state pledged a 45–50% carbon dioxide (CO2) equivalent (CO2e) emissions reduction by 2030 and net zero emissions ...
Viva Energy Gas Terminal Project EES Draft Scoping Requirements
May 26, 2021 - Geelong’s Viva Energy refinery on the Corio Bay foreshore is the proposed site for a new gas import facility. DEA has provided a submission to the scoping requirements for the Environmental ...
Independent Australia: Kids prepare another strike against government climate inaction
May 21, 2021 - Today, schoolchildren will again take to the streets to protest that Government policy is failing the next generation. Dr Graeme McLeay writes “to the young people coming out to demonstrate ...
Renew Economy: Australia must kick the gas habit, because it is bad for our health
May 7, 2021 - The Federal Government is continuing its push for a so-called ‘gas-led’ recovery. How could this be when the evidence of health impacts from polluting gas has hardened considerably? Read DEA ...
Submission to the Inquiry into the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (Regional Forest Agreements)Amendment Bill 2020
May 4, 2021 - Australia’s forests and woodlands are some of the most biodiverse ecosystemson the planet. They have unique intrinsic value but also make vital contributionsto human health.It is abundantly clear that over ...
Roadmap to sustainable health care
May 3, 2021 - Op-ed by one of our members, Dr Eugenie Kayak.