July 7, 2023 - Prepared by DEA members, Drs Genevieve Cowie, Vicki Kotsirilos, Graeme McLeay and Ben Ewald, our submission largely addresses health concerns associated with Australia’s emissions reduction and climate change. The two ...
Air Pollution
Air pollution is a major environmental risk to health.
Better air quality reduces illness and death from stroke, heart disease, lung cancer, and respiratory diseases, such as asthma. Links to diabetes and impaired infant growth are increasingly recognised. Policies to support reducing the combustion of fossil fuels through cleaner transport and power generation, are needed to reduce key sources of outdoor air pollution. Our Air Pollution Special Interest Group(SIG) members seek to support policies and programs to improve the health of all Australians through better protection of clean air.
Air Pollution Resources
REPORT ON AIR POLLUTION
“Lethal power: how coal is killing people in Australia” delivers a nation-wide estimate of the health effects from air pollution
FACTSHEETS ON AIR POLLUTION
Bushfires and Health: our fire-prone continent is at particular risk from the impacts of climate change, and we are experiencing more extreme heat events, an increase in severe fire danger days and a longer fire season. (Dec 2017)
ABC: Scientists say WA government’s prescribed burns targets have no scientific basis
May 31, 2023 - Scientists, Indigenous leaders, and medical experts, including neurologist and DEA member, Dr Carolyn Orr, have called for change to the WA government’s fire management practices, raising concerns about the harms ...
Washington Post: Long-term exposure to pollution linked to depression, study finds
February 6, 2023 - Potential links between pollution and mental health are a serious issue, said Dr Cybele Dey, a child and adolescent psychiatrist and member of Doctors for the Environment Australia, in the ...
NewsGP: The overlooked health hazard lurking in many homes by Dr Ben Ewald
December 9, 2022 - For a child with asthma who lives in a home with a gas stove, 30% of their risk of asthma is from stove exposure, writes Dr Ben Ewald. The evidence ...
Medicos pressing for greater climate action
November 4, 2022 - “This is a public health crisis….It is really important for the health sector to step up and speak out about it” says Dr Kim Loo. Dr Kim Loo DEA’s NSW ...
Media release: Australia deserves certainty on net zero target
April 27, 2022 - DEA deputy Chair Dr Kimberly Humphrey said that a recent Australia Institute survey showed that fossil fuels were costing Australia $22,000 per minute. Subsidies for fossil fuels noted in the AI survey showed that the cost of $11.6 billion in 2021-22 was across federal, state and territory governments.
Dr Carolyn Orr for TEDxUWA: End fossil fuels to protect human health
March 23, 2022 - Perth neurologist and DEA member Dr Carolyn Orr is a fearless and inspiring campaigner and public speaker, and a powerful advocate against fossil fuels in the interest of human health. ...
Submission to the public exhibition of the NSW Design and Place SEPP, and the Apartment Design Guide Feb 2022
March 3, 2022 - Doctors for the Environment Australia recently welcomed the opportunity to provide a submission to the NSW government on the health aspects of a revision of a State Environmental Planning Policy ...
Northern Territory Environmental Protection Authority (NTEPA)for Santos’ proposed Darwin Pipeline Duplication Project
February 23, 2022 - NT DEA Chair Brooke Ah Shay states ” This project will generate significant greenhouse gas emissions, have significant negative environmental impacts on Darwin Harbour, and the Middle Arm LNG processing ...
DEA welcomes the news of the early retirement of Eraring coal power station
February 17, 2022 - Doctors for the Environment Australia (DEA) welcomes the announcement of early retirement of Eraring coal power station. Origin has outlined how security of electricity supply will be maintained, and that ...
Vales Point Power Station: oppose the granting of a licence exemption.
November 9, 2021 - Doctors for the Environment Australia are concerned by the extremely generous license conditions allowing NSW power stations to pollute at much higher levels than similar facilities overseas Drs Ben Ewald ...
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 ...
Fact Check on Meeting GHG Targets
September 9, 2021 - By Dr Ben Ewald Question: Is Australia on track to reach its 2030 target of a 26% reduction from 2005 levels? To reach zero, all sectors will have to cut emissions, ...
Planning and Environment Inquiry into the Protection of the Environment Operations Amendment (Clean Air) Bill 2021
June 21, 2021 - The health effects from exposure to air pollution are well established, and around the world this has led to the introduction of progressively tighter pollution regulations for industrial and vehicle ...
Inquiry into the Health Impacts of Air Pollution in Victoria
April 26, 2021 - Over the past decade, DEA has advocated for improvements in air quality and air quality standards to protect health. DEA has recently provided a submission to Victorian Government Inquiry into ...
Draft NSW Clean air strategy 2021-2030
April 26, 2021 - Doctors for the Environment Australia welcomes the intention for a Clean Air Plan for NSW asconcerted cross government action is needed to reduce health damage from air pollution in thestate. ...
Letter to NSW EPA regarding Vales Point power station POEO license 761
January 28, 2021 - Dr Ben Ewald , Convenor of Doctors for the Environment Australia’s National Air Pollution Special Interest Group has written a letter to the NSW EPA regarding Vales Point power station ...
Pre-Budget submission 2021
January 22, 2021 - Human health and the environment are facing massive challenges. DEA made recommendations that include the recognition of and funding for the impending health crises imposed by climate change and the ...
DEA applauds the NSW Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap
November 9, 2020 - Doctors for the Environment Australia has welcomed the NSW Government’s electricity infrastructure roadmap for the orderly switch of NSW’s energy supply from coal to renewable energy sources. The burning of ...
2020 Federal Budget: Vales Point should be given pollution fees not grants
October 8, 2020 - Inclusion of a grant in the federal budget for Vales Point power station is an outrageous misuse of public funds, says Doctors for the Environment Australia’s spokesperson Dr Ben Ewald. ...