Our Work Biodiversity

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

Health benefits of intact forests –It is time to end native forest logging and declare the Great Forest National Park

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)

Make a #NaturePact

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 ...

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