Doctors for the Environment Australia appreciates the contribution of all members. If you renew your membership each year, that is a valued contribution. If you’re looking to do more, there are many options.
Join:
Join a DEA Special Interest Group or Committee
Get in touch with your state or regional committee or a national DEA special interest group about opportunities to join meetings, participate in electorate campaigning, contribute to health professional education, submissions or assist in writing policies. National special interest groups and committees focus on issues such as air pollution, biodiversity, diet & agriculture, divestment, health & energy, healthcare sustainability, First Nations solidarity, medical education, and mental health. More information can be found here.
National Student Committee (NSC)
Medical students play a crucial role in Doctors for the Environment Australia. Whether it’s on the ground at your medical school, or as part of national advocacy and research projects, there are heaps of fantastic ways to get involved with DEA while you’re studying.
Participate in Local State Activities
DEA has information forums, education sessions, social events and local actions. Get in touch with you state committee and take action. –
Offer Your Expertise
Consider your experience and expertise. Do you have website, media or social media skills? Do you like organising events, know how to review or write public health policy? Get in touch with the DEA Executive Director to get started: admin@dea.org.au.
Educate:
Yourself
Read DEA policies and position statements available on the website and stay updated via DEA newsletters and social media – Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, & Instagram.
Check out DEA Student activities here on Facebook and Instagram.
Members interested in joining our Slack community, contact the office at admin@dea.org.au for an invitation.
Subscribe to a source of on-going media updates such as Climate Media Centre.
Be inspired by DEA videos, podcasts, and webinars.
Attend the annual iDEA conference
Become more informed on health and environment issues and take the opportunity to immerse yourself in DEA’s work and to network with like-minded colleagues. The conference is held in a different state each year, please reach out (admin@dea.org.au) if you would like to get involved.
Colleagues and Community
Help organise a climate change or environment session at your hospital ground round, practice event or college’s next regional or national conference. Contact us to arrange a guest speaker or facilitate a presentation on a local topic such as greening health organisations, climate impacts on health, and opportunities for action. This is especially relevant when a healthcare organisation is planning a new capital project that should consider an all-electric design or incorporating climate education into the medical education curriculum.
DEA can assist with speakers, factsheets, and health professional education resources.
Your Local Representatives
Meet with your local Member of Parliament to provide them with information about topical issues or upcoming parliamentary votes. Ideally visit with a colleague, prepare your topic and consider what you are asking for. There are DEA members who are actively involved in this way and would be happy to help you prepare.
Activities undertaken by DEA are carried out to help create the political change necessary to address climate change and other environmental issues that affect health. Our members have led a number of campaigns that aim to improve public health by promoting greater care for the environment. Read all about our current and past campaigns.
Amplify:
Follow DEA on social media
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DocsEnvAus
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DocsEnvAus/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doctorsfortheenvironment/
Check out DEA Student activities here on Facebook and Instagram.
Members interested in joining our Slack community, contact the office at admin@dea.org.au for an invitation.
Recruit new members to DEA
This is one of the most vital ways to support DEA. Invite your friends and colleagues or contact us about hosting an information stall at your university, hospital or conference.
Advocate for sustainable health practice
Health services contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions and waste. Review your clinic’s practice or join your health service environment, waste or sustainability committee. Join DEA’s working group on healthcare sustainability.
Speak out
Use your ‘health voice’ – write to politicians, companies, consider joining campaigns initiated by DEA and other organisations. When you are speaking about environment, climate or sustainability issues aligned with DEA policies, do identify yourself as a member of DEA and share DEA resources. DEA members who have been working on political engagement and campaigns are happy to work together.
However, please do not indicate that you are an official representative for DEA without prior approval from the Board or your local state chair or DEA’s media coordinator. Contact admin@dea.org.au for more information.
Donate to support DEA
Ensure DEA can continue to build capacity for a stronger educational and advocacy platform. Set up a regular monthly contribution or respond to our annual appeal.
Walk the Talk:
To respond to the climate crisis we need deep de-carbonisation across all sectors. Reduce your emissions and waste – reflect, refuse, reduce, reuse and recycle. Choose renewable energy, opt to video-conference where possible, or eat more plant-based foods. Minimise transport emissions – bike, walk or use public transport. Reduce long-haul flights and offset travel using a reputable carbon offset program.
Invest in a Healthy Planet
Consider changing to Socially Responsible Investing (SRI). Do you or your financial institution invest in fossil fuels or other non-sustainable industries? It’s easy to ‘divest’ by changing to SRI superannuation funds and shares, and banking alternatives are emerging. Use shareholder activism to influence companies and institutions, including universities – https://dea.org.au/divestment/–