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 ...
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
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)
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 ...
Wildlife, biodiversity, climate change, population and economic growth
May 8, 2011 - We need more politicians who will talk at public meetings about the damage to ecology–our life support systems. This is exactly what Kelvin Thomson MP is doing in his talk ...
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 ...
Biodiversity & Health Poster
December 1, 2007 - Biodiversity Poster (High Res) Biodiversity Poster (Low Res) THE IMPORTANCE OF BIODIVERSITY TO YOUR LIFE AND HEALTH The single most important factor in the health of each person is not ...
Climate Change and Health Poster
December 1, 2007 - Climate Change & Health Poster Why is climate change so serious? Climate change happens when the earth heats up because of too much carbon dioxide and other ‘greenhouse gases’ ...