October 10, 2022 - Because of the serious environmental consequences of burning native forest biomass for electricity generation, no case can be made for its continuation.Importantly, the burning of native forest biomass adds to ...
Health & Energy
Health & Energy covers a lot of topics we hear about every day, including Coal, Natural Gas, Renewable Energy, Transport, and The Built Environment.
Please click the titles below to read more about each of these topics.
Coal is a major source of rising greenhouse gas causing climate change. The burning of coal emits hazardous air pollutants, including particulate matter, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, carbon dioxide, mercury and arsenic. Australia has one of the most carbon intensive and polluting electricity supplies in the world. By investing in renewable energy sources and rapidly transitioning from fossil fuels, we can save lives and improve health immediately due to improved local environments, prevent unmanageable climate change with its associated devastating health consequences, and make sound economic investments in Australia’s future. FACTSHEETS ON COAL Health Toll of Coal – each step of the coal to energy process negatively impacts human health (June 2017) Underground coal gasification (October 2012) DEA SUBMISSIONS RELATED TO BIODIVERSITY NSW inquiry into costs of dealing with coal ash repositories (Feb 2020) The fossil gas industry is a major source of the powerful greenhouse gas methane which is responsible for around 25% of global heating. Gas also contributes significantly to rising levels of carbon dioxide. FACTSHEETS ON OIL AND GAS #Turnoffthegas - VIDEO: Doctors for the Environment Australia members urge the Morrison Government to seek an alternative to a gas led recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic. Home gas appliances and your health (Dec 2019) – all gas burning appliances produce pollutants that can reduce indoor air quality, and cause or exacerbate illness Why doctors are concerned about a ‘gas-led recovery’ from the pandemic – Six FAQ Oil spills and health don’t mix – this fact sheet outlines the known health impacts of oil spills and the risks to the health of those who clean them up (June 2019) Underground coal gasification (October 2012) POLICY PAPER AND POSITION STATEMENT ON OIL AND GAS Onshore Oil and Gas Policy Background paper (2019) A comprehensive review of all referenced literature on the health harms of the mining of gas. By Professors David Shearman and Melissa Haswell. Onshore Oil and Gas Policy paper – Executive Summary (2019) The implications for human health and wellbeing of expanding gas mining in Australia Onshore Oil and Gas Mining and human health – DEA’s Position Statement Leadership on addressing climate change involves an urgent increase in the use of renewable energy to replace greenhouse gas-producing fossil fuels. The use of fossil fuels for energy production is harmful to health both within Australia and internationally. The co-benefits of renewable energy are a reduction in the huge health costs from fossil fuel pollution. A more rapid increase in renewable energy deployment is essential in fulfilling Australia’s commitment to green-house emission abatement and in holding world temperature rise to less than 2°C, in accordance with the Paris Agreement. Transport is both a major source of greenhouse gas increases and an important source of air pollution causing multiple health problems. Active transport in walking and cycling mitigates both these effects and reduces the incidence of diabetes, obesity and hypertension by reducing sedentary behaviours. Investment in efficient electrified public transport is an investment in health. Transport position statement – transport, climate change and air quality The way our public buildings and private dwellings are built and the sort of energy they require are important factors in mitigating climate change and optimising a liveable environment. Urban design to promote green spaces and reduce vehicle pollution brings multiple health benefits. Coal
Fossil Gas
Gas extraction is polluting. Good health is dependent on having clean air, clean water, a safe sustainable food supply and a stable climate. There are serious threats to these determinants of health from unconventional gas development. They relate to water, land and air pollution by chemicals used and mobilised in the process, water security, degradation of productive agricultural land, community health and loss of livelihood and landscape. Renewable Energy
Transport
The Built Environment
North West Shelf Project Extension Appeal
July 8, 2022 - The EPA has recommended that the project be approved. Doctors for the Environment Australia disagrees. The EPA has not applied conditions that are its best endeavours, nor fully considered the ...
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 ...
Submission to the Low Emissions Technology Statement 2022
February 6, 2022 - There is much of positive value in the roadmap, including ultra-low cost solar, low emissions steel, aluminium, and potentially cement, charging infrastructure for electrified transport, and reducing livestock emissions. However, ...
Dr John Iser: Some of these hot days are unliveable days
January 27, 2022 - Dr John Iser, Board member for Doctors for the Environment Australia (DEA) was interviewed by the Sydney Morning Herald along with Andrew Gissing, general manager of Risk Frontiers. January 27 ...
Dr Kate Charlesworth: Children are more at risk from gas stoves in the home
January 27, 2022 - Dr Kate Charlesworth, Doctors for the Environment member and public health physician was interviewed by ABC News Australia about the dangers of leaking methane from natural gas stoves. This poses ...
Hunter Power Project (Kurri Kurri Power Station)
August 17, 2021 - Doctors for the Environment Australia made a submission to the New South Wales Department of Planning, Industry and Environment In June 2021 in regards to the Kurri Kurri Power Station. ...
Beetaloo Cooperative Drilling Program
August 6, 2021 - DEA recently submitted a submission on the Industry Research and Development (BeetalooCooperative Drilling Program) Instrument. DEA has raised five key concerns about the Beetaloo Cooperative Drilling Program: The program will ...
Viva Energy Gas Terminal Project EES Draft Scoping Requirements
May 26, 2021 - Geelong’s Viva Energy refinery on the Corio Bay foreshore is the proposed site for a new gas import facility. DEA has provided a submission to the scoping requirements for the Environmental ...
Renew Economy: Australia must kick the gas habit, because it is bad for our health
May 7, 2021 - The Federal Government is continuing its push for a so-called ‘gas-led’ recovery. How could this be when the evidence of health impacts from polluting gas has hardened considerably? Read DEA ...
Future Fuels Strategy: Discussion Paper Powering Choice
April 6, 2021 - Click here to read our submission.
Doctors applaud rejection of Crib Point gas terminal
March 31, 2021 - Doctors welcome the Victorian Government’s decision to reject AGL’s proposal to build a 300-metre floating gas import terminal at Westernport Bay, describing it as a major win for public health. ...
Media release: The health toll of NSW coal expansion plans
March 31, 2021 - Doctors for the Environment Australia warns any plans to expand coal mining in the Hunter Valley and other parts of NSW, as highlighted by new research, will have serious repercussions for ...
Gas Fired Recovery Plan
February 28, 2021 - Doctors for the Environment Australia is strongly opposed to the Gas-led Recovery proposal. DEA contends that the proposal will lock in the production and use of gas at a time ...
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 ...
Home Gas Appliances and Your Health Fact Sheet
December 23, 2020 - Download the Home Gas Appliance and Your Health Fact Sheet
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 ...
The Mandarin Opinion: health, not gas, should be put at the centre of Australia’s economic recovery
October 21, 2020 - “In a future where climate change looms large as a threat to health and where our primary disease burden is shaped by lifestyle and environment, shouldn’t we place health front ...
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. ...
Victorian inquiry into environmental infrastructure for growing populations (5 Oct 2020)
October 5, 2020 - The Environment and Planning Committee of the Victorian Legislative Assembly has called for submissions to an inquiry into the current and future arrangements to secure environmental infrastructure, particularly parks and ...