February 13, 2024 - Doctors for the Environment Australia has today joined environmental conservation organisations across Western Australia in calling on the Cook Government to reject proposed changes to the state’s Environmental Protection Authority ...
Biodiversity
Natural ecosystems support our health by filtering our air, providing fresh water and food, regulating our climate, directly improving human health and protecting against the spread of disease and pests.
They also foster our mental wellbeing and serve as places of recreation and sources of nature-based jobs in tourism and other vocations. Furthermore, with over one third of all medicines known to humans being derived from nature, protected ecosystems are a form of innovative capital for future medical advances. Ecosystems are the foundations of biodiversity, the infinite variation in life forms. Human resilience in the face of sudden and catastrophic shifts to the planet’s life-support systems is strengthened by this variety of life on earth.
Doctors for the Environment Australia is focused on the complex interaction between human health and our natural environment and is therefore interested in environmental degradation, particularly the loss of biodiversity and the impact this is having, and will continue to have, on human health and social stability. A global environment that supports biodiversity is better able to support human health. This is a topic of utmost urgency, and of great political and cultural complexity. It is also deeply fascinating as we continue to better understand the ways in which time spent in nature can help both prevent and cure common lifestyle related diseases.
Biodiversity Resources
POLICY PAPER AND POSITION STATEMENT ON BIODIVERSITY
The health case for ending native forest logging and establishing the Great Forest National Park in Victoria
DEA’s Biodiversity Policy (Nov 2019)
DEA’s Biodiversity Position Statement (Nov 2019)
FACTSHEETS ON BIODIVERSITY
Zoonoses are infectious diseases that can be passed from an animal to a human. There has been increase in zoonotic diseases over the past 30 years, posing major risks from diseases like COVID-19 (August 2020)
Forests and native vegetation like grasslands, wetlands and woodlands support our health and the environment in which we live. (Jan 2019)
Land clearing has wide ranging and harmful implications for human health (Jan 2019)
PRESENTATIONS ON BIODIVERSITY
PowerPoint presentation that details why environmental sustainability is core business for health professionals and an essential part of health education. (July 2018)
DEA SUBMISSIONS RELATED TO BIODIVERSITY
2019-20 Review of the EPBC Act (April 2020)
EPBC Act Review Interim Report – DEA response (July 2020)
Australia’s faunal extinction crisis (August 2019)
Native Forest Logging Position Statement
October 2, 2023 - Doctors for the Environment Australia recognises the deep connections between forests, human health and planetary health. Doctors for the Environment Australia strongly support the following actions :● Cessation of native ...
Measuring what matters
May 31, 2023 - DEA welcomes the opportunity to contribute to the Measuring what matters second consultation process. The proposed indicators show a welcome move away from narrow economic indicators such as GDP that ...
Nature Repair Market bill submission
May 31, 2023 - Doctors for the Environment welcomes the opportunity to make a submission to the Nature Repair Market bill which has important implications for the health and wellbeing of Australians, both now ...
Media release: Victorian Government’s end to native forest logging is a win for the environment and for health
May 26, 2023 - Doctors for the Environment Australia (DEA) welcomes the Victorian Government’s decision to end native forest logging by January next year- six years ahead of schedule. Victorian DEA Chair Dr ...