March 14, 2018 - The Federal Government has produced a biodiversity conservation strategy paper which is deeply flawed in its assessments and fails to understand the urgency for action. In response, DEA has written a submission which ...
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)
Shell breaks its 10 year promise not to develop World Heritage Sites
January 31, 2013 - The evidence of damage to the Great Barrier Reef continues to mount. This article by Andrew Jeremijenko provides further documentation. DEA has worked behind the scenes on this issue, corresponding ...
We must protect biodiversity if we are to protect ourselves
January 24, 2013 - It is encouraging to see that the European Commission has many policies and actions on biodiversity and this editorial from “Science for Environment Policy” is republished with thanks. We need ...
Submission to the West Australian Draft Forest Management Plan 2014-2023
November 4, 2012 - The draft management plan should be acknowledged for recognising and including some of the important factors that will determine the health and sustainability of our SW forest ecosystems over coming decades. Whilst ...
How contact with nature can benefit our health.
June 10, 2012 - Instinctively, we want contact with nature – we’d all like the office with a view of the park instead of a view of the carpark. Yet few doctors are aware ...
The Great Barrier Reef at a crossroads- UNESCO Report
June 6, 2012 - We thank Tim Stephens is Associate professor and director, Sydney centre for International law at University of Sydney and the Conversation for permission to publish under creative commons. His article ...
Mining is digging the heart out of conservation covenants
May 30, 2012 - We thank the authors Vanessa Adams and Katie Moon and the Conversation for permission to publish under creative commons This is an issue of great concern to DEA; it is ...
Black carbon, methane and action on climate change, an update.
May 12, 2012 - This is an important topic because simple action on these short term pollutants reduces global temperature immediately. Their health impacts are therefore important. A year ago we provided an ABC ...
Minister Burke- don’t mine the Tarkine!
April 19, 2012 - Last month DEA’s Dr Dimity Williams- a Melbourne GP and passionate tree lover- went deep into the Tarkine with the crew from GetUp to help raise awareness on the threat ...
Tarkine Wilderness another victim of the Mining Boom
April 18, 2012 - For eight years conservationists have fought to have the Tarkine rainforest in Tasmania included on the National Heritage List. Yet despite its eligibility it is under threat from large mining ...
Forests and Health Position Statement
March 30, 2012 - Over 50 per cent of the earth’s forests have been cleared, mainly for grazing land expansion, agriculture and road construction. Every year 15 million hectares of rain forest are being destroyed and ...
It’s time to Getup! and save the Tarkine
March 28, 2012 - A few weeks ago I was thrilled to be part of an expedition into the Tarkine rainforest of Tasmania organised by Getup! as part of their campaign to protect this ...
The Tarkine Forest under threat – Again
March 19, 2012 - This article on the Tarkine Forest and related issues formed the basis of a March newsletter to all members of Doctors for the Environment Australia. The Tarkine , DEA and ...
Submission on the Regulated Trees Amendment
January 4, 2012 - In SA an amendment on Regulated Trees to help development has lead to a spate of removals of mature trees by residents in Adelaide and suburbs who worry about leaves ...
Biodiversity and Health
October 24, 2011 - Doctors for the Environment Australia has recognised the importance of this topic for an number of years and in 2007 our poster was entitled – The importance of biodiversity to ...
Biodiversity, a fundamental for Human Health – an update
November 14, 2010 - Three years ago DEA produced a poster on Biodiversity – the Web of Life. It asked “Will the next generation inhabit a healthy earth?” The poster was very popular especially ...