August 23, 2019 - THE NSW Independent Planning Commission (IPC) recently decided on the Dartbrook underground coal mine, writes Dr Bob Vickers. In its decision, they approved the mine to continue operations until 2022, ...
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. 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. 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. 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
Natural 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
Executive Summary: DEA’s oil and gas policy paper
August 22, 2019 - The implications for human health and wellbeing of expanding gas mining in Australia – Summary Onshore Oil and Gas Policy Background Paper 2019
Isaac Downs Project (August 2019)
August 19, 2019 - The prime consideration of the project must be whether it complies with the need for Queensland and Australian sustainability in view of the climate change and biodiversity emergencies. Isaac Downs ...
(Unpublished) Letter to the Editor – The Australian
August 19, 2019 - “It is about time that Chris Kenny was pilloried for distorting the truth on renewable energy (The Australian August 12),” Dr John Iser wrote in a Letter to the Editor ...
Project changes to the New Acland Coal Mine Stage 3 Project submission (July 2019)
July 25, 2019 - This is yet another application from the infamous Acland New Hope mine for expansion even before its previous application for a new water license has been decided. Over many years the ...
Winchester South Project Draft Terms of Reference for an Environmental Impact Statement (July 2019)
July 18, 2019 - In Australia, Queensland will be damaged most from climate change progression and it is clearly illogical for Queensland to promote its own demise. We recommend that climate change impacts from ...
Oil Spills & Health Don’t Mix
June 10, 2019 - Drilling for oil in the Great Australian Bight remains a real and dangerous possibility, with Norwegian company Equinor planning to commence exploratory drilling in 2020. This fact sheet outlines the ...
Origin Kyalla drilling and hydraulic fracturing 2019 (May 2019)
May 30, 2019 - The NT gas development which will result in GHG emissions many times greater than those of the Adani mine will commence in the next few months. DEA has made this ...
Wollar Solar Farm (May 2019)
May 13, 2019 - It is important for the development of the vital renewable energy industry that appropriate developments proceed in order to build the skill base and employment opportunities for people working in ...
Food Security in a Changing Climate
May 9, 2019 - Food Security in a Changing Climate: This video is a reminder of the threat posed to our climate, our water, our oceans and our agriculture by oil and gas exploration ...
New Acland coal mine expansion (May 2019)
May 7, 2019 - DEA has provided a submission to the Queensland government opposing a water licence for the Acland mine extension. This continues the saga of pollution and harm to local inhabitants over ...
Leigh Creek Energy Underground Coal Gasification (April 2019)
April 26, 2019 - The state of SA has decided that it will try and perform better than Queensland in establishing an underground coal gasification (UCG) enterprise. They need to be reminded that the ...
Stop drilling for oil in the Great Australian Bight (April 2019)
April 24, 2019 - DEA has joined the Wilderness Society campaign to stop drilling for oil in the pristine waters of our Great Australian Bight. We have made a submission on the Stromlo-1 Exploration ...
Moolarben Coal Mine Stage 1 and 2 Modifications (April 2019)
April 17, 2019 - The mine at Moolarben has previously been approved to mine 18 million tonnes per year of production coal during the period until 2038. The original approval was granted in 2007, ...
Tahmoor South Coal Project Submission (March 2019)
March 25, 2019 - DEA is one of many health and medical organisations calling for urgent action to mitigate climate change. In Australia, these include the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP), The Royal ...
Onshore Oil and Gas Policy Background paper 2019
March 21, 2019 - Australia plans to become one of the World’s largest producers of natural gas The paper reviews all referenced literature on the mining of gas, potential local harms on the environment ...
United Wambo Open Cut Coal Mine Project
February 18, 2019 - DEA recommends that the New South Wales Government Independent Planning Commission oppose the United Wambo Open Cut Coal Mine project on the grounds of negative health effects of climate change, ...
Mineral Resources (Galilee Basin) Amendment Bill 2018 Submission
January 25, 2019 - The Queensland government is considering a new bill – the Mineral Resources (Galilee Basin) Amendment Bill 2018 – that would effectively stop all coal mining in the Galilee Basin. DEA ...
Onshore oil and gas mining and human health – DEA Position Statement
January 4, 2019 - Continued expansion of natural gas development in Australia carries serious risks for human health and wellbeing both locally and globally. These concerns are detailed in a our Policy Paper on ...
AGL APA Gas Import Jetty and Pipeline Project (December 2018)
December 31, 2018 - DEA’s overarching concern is clear evidence of the substantial and rising greenhouse gas footprint of Australia’s expanding gas and oil industry that threatens efforts to urgently reduce emissions and mitigate ...