MAY NEWSLETTER
This Newsletter for May 2011 reports our progress on several important issues, rural wind
farms, coal, coal seam gas and population. We seek your help with many tasks, small and
large.
Any small contribution helps—such as the two minutes to send a copy of this Newsletter to
colleagues who know you well and respect your views.
Commentary
We have been running with the message that a price on carbon is a public health
measure. We do not regard it as a political message though the lack of comment from
Colleges and other medical organisations on this matter might suggest they are reluctant to
speak in case their statements are regarded as party political. However if you look at the
Important new article list at the foot of this newsletter you will see several important
statements on health and climate change from the profession in other countries— all very
positive.
A DEA member who is also a FRACP writes to us “Each time I mix with (supposedly) intelligent
people and broach the topic they look at me in disbelief, saying: there is no problem, is there?
And when I insist with the discussion they don’t speak with me again. It is as if either they or
I hail from a DIFFERENT PLANET!!!!!!! So disappointing and sad”. We know we have a
problem within the profession, our desultory negotiation with the RACP described below
testifies to this.
However we have to keep active on the issue for as with all social change the tide turns
suddenly. So this is why we ask you to forward this newsletter to colleagues, a glimpse of the
names on our Committee at the foot of this newsletter may have their minds consider the
issues.
I will not labour you more with the impacts of fossil fuels suffice it to say my most recent
thoughts are in the opinion piece in the Climate section of Business Spectator
http://www.climatespectator.com.au/commentary/time-clear-air
Meeting with Greg Hunt, Opposition spokesperson on climate change
DEA representatives met with, Greg Hunt, the Shadow Minister for Climate Action,
Environment and Heritage, before Easter to express our dismay at the inadequacy of the
Coalition’s Direct Action Plan on the Environment and Climate Change
http://www.liberal.org.au/~/media/Files/Policies%20and%20Media/Environment/The%20Coali
tions%20Direct%20Action%20Plan%20Policy.ashx and to reiterate the predicted adverse
health and humanity impacts from expected rates of global warming.
The science (and indeed the post industrial anthropogenic contribution) of climate change and
the non-viability of Carbon Capture and Storage from power plants was not disputed during
the meeting.
The Coalition seemed completely unwilling to consider a ‘price on carbon’ and continued to
argue that an ‘incentive program for heavy CO2 emitting industries’, soil bio-sequestration and
algae fuel would be the essence of their mitigation strategies.
As far as DEA is aware algae fuel is still being developed and not commercially viable on a
large scale, soil bio-sequestration of carbon may have some potential but will not mitigate
atmospheric CO2 concentrations at the rate or amounts urgently required and incentive
programs have no guarantee of success.
With regard to their incentive program the Coalition has no inkling of whether the owners of
Hazelwood (Australia’s highest CO2 emitting power station) could be enticed to decrease their
emissions or not.
Preliminary report on DEA student conference in Sydney
Delegates to the iDEA 2011 conference in Sydney are returning to their campuses, hospitals,
practices and communities with a renewed sense of purpose and passion after a successful two
day meeting this past weekend.
A mix of inspiring talks, engaging workshops and opportunities to socialise, the conference
managed to attract twice the attendees of the inaugural conference of 2009. Locally based
students were strongly represented, though there were good numbers from interstate to round
things out. Students were also joined by a number of doctor members of DEA, including
Management Committee members and interested local practitioners.
The weekend got off to a great start with a talk from Dr Linda Selvey speaking about her
career progression from public health work through to her current position as head of
Greenpeace Australia-Pacific. Dr Selvey was followed by Senator Christine Milne, who urged
and challenged doctors and students to embrace their voice as advocates for sustainable
political progress. Many other aspects of climate change, energy, consumption and planning
were discussed across the day before a Q & A with Honorary Secretary David Shearman. A
recurrent theme was the insidious influence of our social, economic and political patterns on
health. Panels and speakers enabled delegates to contemplate and reflect on the social,
psychological, legal, economic and political impediments and opportunities for transition to a
more sustainable and healthy society. This holistic approach was brought into sharp relief with
reports back from the Pacific from Associate Professor Ruth Colaguiri and journalist Nic
Maclellan.
Beyond the academic program, events on Friday and Saturday nights offered a chance for
social interaction, reflection and networking. Sunday built on the knowledge and concern
established on day one, nurturing optimism and pragmatism as doctors from around Australia
reported their local and state efforts to mitigate ill health from environmental degradation. Dr
Eugenie Kayak provided an excellent outlook of the potential for hospitals and clinics to reduce
their environmental impact, and consequently their negative health impact. Orthopaedic
surgeon Mr Matthew Nott rallied energy for local action as he told of incredible community
mobilisation and achievement in a rural area.
This more uplifting morning with a focus on positive actions was followed by upskilling for the
year ahead. Delegates attended workshops in community engagement, political lobbying and
strategy before separating into regional groups.
The conference closed with well articulated goals for a year of environmental health advocacy,
and a new student committee. Rohan Church (Hobart) will be replacing outgoing President
Janie Maxwell (Melbourne) as National Student Representative. We farewell Janie from her
position with misty eyes and thank her for the dedication and flare that she displayed in the
job. DEA warmly welcomes Rohan and his accompanying committee to their new roles.
All in all, iDEA 2011 was a thoroughly engaging meeting which will spur us on to great things
across the remainder of the year. Details of the new student committee as well as a full
synopsis of the conference proceedings will follow over coming weeks. We thank the iDEA
2011 organising committee - Jenny Hellsing, Kitty Soutar, Liz O’Brien, Zoe Wood, Janie
Maxwell and Ben Ticehurst - for their efforts and dedication, ensuring the success of the
conference. We look forward to the next iDEA conference, for all doctors and medical
students, to be held in early 2012.
Ben Ticehurst
Coal Seam gas campaign
Barack Obama has just said about natural gas
So we’ve got to make sure that if we’re going to do it, we do it in a way that doesn’t poison
people
By contrast the Republican’s energy spokesperson on Energy James Inhofe has just said on
Fox News
There’s never been one case — documented case — of groundwater contamination in the
history of the thousands and thousands of hydraulic fracturing.
However the facts are

The US EPA is preparing a report on clinical problems that have arisen

Within the past month, a natural gas well in Bradford County US suffered a blowout
with 30,000 gallons of polluted effluent going into the Susquehanna River. Well
operator Chesapeake Energy has suspended all hydraulic fracturing operations in
Pennsylvania. http://climateprogress.org/2011/04/22/news-chesapeake-suspendsfracking-in-pa-after-blowout-and-leak-contemplating-the-human-cost-of-energy/

Also within the past month, the French government will support parliamentary motions
to cancel permits issued for shale gas drilling in order to avoid potential environmental
risks, Prime Minister Francois Fillon has said. http://planetark.org/wen/61760

In the US there are reports of abandoned wells continuing to be a health hazard long
after their life is completed http://solveclimatenews.com/news/20110407/oil-gas-wellsfracking-drinking-water-pollution-homes?page=show

The US House of Representatives Committee on Energy and Commerce has released a
report on chemicals used in hydraulic fracking
http://democrats.energycommerce.house.gov/sites/default/files/documents/Hydraulic%
20Fracturing%20Report%204.18.11.pdf
In Australia during this month CSG contracts for billions of dollars have been signed and
several reports have been issued which document the dangers.
National Toxics Network has released their report http://ntn.org.au/2011/02/21/call-formoratorium-as-report-finds-fracking-chemicals-have-never-been-tested-for-safety/ and has
called for a moratorium
The demand for speakers on CSG is growing. Please register your interest in helping.
What has DEA done on CSG this month?
Coal seam gas: a sleight of hand? The Drumhttp://www.abc.net.au/unleashed/55656.html
We are exploring avenues to bring about an enquiry into health aspects of this industry. We
cannot say more at this time
Campaign against new coal mines
The International energy agency (IEA) says– Clean energy technologies are making clear
progress globally, but fossil fuels continue to outpace them, mostly because they get far more
in subsidies per year; $318 billion in 2010 versus $57 billion for renewables. The IEA says
those fossil fuel subsidies need to be removed and governments need to introduce transparent,
predictable and adaptive incentives for cleaner, more efficient energy options.
http://www.climatespectator.com.au/commentary/clean-out-time
What has DEA done on coal this month?
Time to clear the air. Climate Spectator
http://www.climatespectator.com.au/commentary/time-clear-air
If you are not registered for Climate Spectator go to
http://dea.org.au/index.php/news/article/time_to_clear_the_air
Anglesea coal mine expansion, yet a new frontier for DEA
DEA can have an important role in supporting communities to address the health impacts of
coal. This is happening in various ways in Queensland and New South Wales.
On Saturday April 24th with the Bell's Beach surfing competition just a stone's throw away,
over one hundred Anglesea residents gathered to express their concern about the possible
health impacts of the extension and expansion of the Anglesea coal mine lease. Local botanist
Luke Hynes spoke about the adjoining heritage heath land, engineer Mike Lawrence put
forward renewable energy alternatives and Dr Merryn Redenbach spoke on behalf on DEA
about the health effects of coal.
http://indymedia.org.au/2011/04/23/anglesea-coal-mine-expansion-%E2%80%93-wecan%E2%80%99t-believe-it-either
The boundaries of Anglesea mine will be as close as 800m to the new Anglesea Primary School
and the smoke stack of the 150MW Anglesea Power station, which produces electricity for
Alcoa's Point Henry aluminium smelter, is clearly visible on the same road. The school is
located in the "buffer zone" around the mine in which housing construction is not
permitted. While the EPA has sulphur dioxide monitoring stations around Anglesea there are
no particulate monitoring stations.
Research in the health of Anglesea children, or particulate or other pollutant levels around the
Anglesea site could be a fantastic BMedSci or advanced training project. Anyone who is
interested in undertaking or supervising such research is encouraged to get in touch with DEA.
Meanwhile DEA is exploring what can be done to oppose the expansion.
More information about the Anglesea extension can be found on the CoalWatch
Website: http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Anglesea_mine
We have written to the Prime Minister, all Ministers and all members
Excerpt
Doctors for the Environment Australia (DEA) urge both Government and Opposition to resist,
on health grounds, carbon tax exemptions for wealthy fossil fuel industries. Indeed we urge
government to have these industries pay their way for the ill health they are causing right now
in Australian communities through air pollution, as well as their immense contribution to future
ill-health resulting from climate change.
DEA has drawn attention to the likely health and environmental costs of the coal industry and
coal combustion being of the order of $1,000pa for every inhabitant of Australia
http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/big-coal-a-burningissue/?from=scroller&pos=2&link=text. The health impacts have not been properly addressed
by state governments and the interests of people should be protected with the institution of a
national Health Impact Assessment.
The Coal Seam Gas industry also causes significant environmental damage and potential
health implications. The National Water Commission has concerns. A new report
http://ntn.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/NTN-Fracking-Briefing-Paper-April-2011.pdf
indicates these are considerable and requests a moratorium whilst the safety of chemicals is
assessed. Again DEA calls for a national Health Impact Assessment to protect the public
health http://www.abc.net.au/unleashed/55656.html.
We draw your attention to the fact that the gas industry is quoting green house emission
advantages for gas. There is some doubt about this claim in relation to shale gas and we draw
your attention to a review in The Hill, US Congress news http://thehill.com/blogs/e2-wire/677e2-wire/155101-report-gas-from-fracking-worse-than-coal-on-climate. These concerns may
extend to coal seam gas.
We view the demands of the fossil fuel industries as imprudent and against the national
interest. It is vital that the cost externalities of their activities are considered along with their
claims.
Medical Observer and DEA
This week the DEA column in Medical Observer is written by Flinders Medical School and DEA
student Mani Bergout, Title, Neglect of this patient will affect all of us
http://www.medicalobserver.com.au/news/neglect-of-this-patient-will-affect-all-of-us. Well
done Mani. We remind student members that we will occasionally put forward other student
articles for publication.
GM meeting on March 21st convened and Chaired by Bob Phelps of Gene Ethics
Gene Ethics, a not for profit organisation campaigns for a sustainable GM-free society,
DEA maintains an interest in GM and Dr George Crisp spoke on behalf of DEA about the
potential health effects of GM crops and the lack of rigorous testing and health data.
Almost 200 people attended the meeting at the Peppermint Grove Library to hear about safety
concerns and ethical considerations relating to GM crops.
Steve Marsh, a Kojonup farmer, has recently lost his organic certification as a result of
contamination with GM canola from a neighbour’s crop, and described his plight, as he is now
becoming embroiled in a legal battle with multinational Monsanto.
Other speakers including environmental scientist Josh Byrne, Politicians, greens - MLC Lynn
McClaren and ALP - MLA Mick Murray, and Concerned Farmers Network's Julie Newman.
Please keep us informed about happenings in the GM sphere Editor.
Submission to the Senate Community Affairs Committee Inquiry into the Social and
Economic Impact of Rural Wind Farms
In April we reported DEA has made a submission to the Senate Community Affairs Committee
Inquiry into the Social and Economic Impact of Rural Wind Farms. See government’s web site
http://www.aph.gov.au/senate/committee/clac_ctte/impact_rural_wind_farms/submissions.ht
m (Submission number 829).
George Crisp gave evidence to the senate Committee on our behalf. The Hansard transcript is
at http://www.aph.gov.au/hansard/senate/commttee/S13730.pdf
RACP meeting in Darwin
Several Fellows have asked us to arrange a booth at the May 22-25 meeting, as last years’
display at WCIM in Melbourne was so successful. In 2010 the booth cost us $550. We were
disappointed to be asked to pay this cost for what we regarded as a core RACP educational
activity.
Negotiations with the College this year have not produced a satisfactory outcome and we
regret that members and fellows will be disappointed. We have been negotiating with the
College for a booth since March 9 th and were offered one at $2450+GST which we rejected.
We asked for a free table in the Foyer. We have finally been offered a concessional booth rate
of $550+GST. We have declined to proceed given the expense; short time-frame available to
finalise organisation; and perceived lack of support from the RACP for our contribution to
education regarding this public health issue.
We call on all DEA Fellows of the RACP, including AFPHM and AFOEM, to consider how we may
go ahead in exploring and consolidating partnerships with RACP, including for the 2012
meeting. Increased strength of representation through the RACP Climate Change Working
Group may be one option. We note The President’s April statement, “The College is in a strong
financial position...” The surplus for 2010 was over $5M. Perhaps WHO’s concerns on climate
change could be addressed with a little of this?
DEA Annual General Meeting
The date of the AGM has been changed to Monday October 17th so that we could be on site in
Melbourne for the 'Creating Sustainable Healthy Societies Conference' (further details later)
The conference will take place on Saturday 15th and Sunday morning 16th of October.
The AGM will be at 5.30 pm on Monday October 17th at Parkville. Please put this date in
your diary.
Report on Perth Sun Fair at UWA 0n April 10th
Dr Janet Roddy organised the DEA stall at this year's Perth Sun Fair.
The event was well attended and volunteers, Dr's Nicola Cook, Louise Sparrow, Sue Taylor,
Irene Kirczenow, Greg Glazov, and George Crisp were kept busy throughout the day.
George Crisp also gave a talk on the health co-benefits from decreasing emissions.
DEA and Australian Anaesthesia News
(From the DEA Victorian newsletter)
Anaesthetist and Victorian DEA representative, Eugenie Kayak, spoke to over 200
anaesthetists at a recent Australian Society of Anaesthetists (ASA) NSW Education Meeting
about why health professionals should be acting to improve the environmental impact of their
work places and more specifically how ones choice of anaesthetic practice can directly and
significantly influence our daily (even weekly) environmental impact. The results of three
recent articles that calculate and compare the global warming potentials for routinely used
anaesthetic gases were presented and discussed.
(Ryan SM, Nielsen CJ. Global warming potential of inhaled anesthetics: application to clinical use. Anesth Analg. 2010
Jul; 111(1):92-8. Sulbaek Andersen MP etal. Inhalation anaesthetics and climate change. Br J Anaesth. 2010 Dec;
105(6): 760-766. Ishizawa Y. General Anesthetic Gases and the Global Environment. Anesth Analg. 2011 Jan;
112(1): 213-7)
An anaesthetist’s choice of anaesthetic gas and delivery flow rates for one day can have more
influence on daily CO2 emissions than whether one chooses to walk or fly to their next
interstate meeting.
Visits to members of Parliament
DEA will continue to write to and visit sitting members of parliament at both the Federal and
State level during this crucial time. We will be calling for a bipartisan approach to the
mitigation of CO2 emissions including a price on carbon for the health of our and future
generations.
We thank those members of DEA who have visited their members of parliament recently and
we ask that those who are preparing a visit contact us to obtain previous correspondence with
their member and to avail themselves of our latest policy statements.
Nuclear medicine in Australia
A Joint Health Sector Position Statement on nuclear medicine, requesting an inquiry into the
nuclear medicine industry in Australia has been signed by MAPW, the Public Health Association
of Australia, Doctors for the Environment Australia, the Australian Nursing and Midwifery
Federation (SA) and the Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance (NT). The AMA also supports the
call for an inquiry.
Overseas practice shows that it is feasible for radioactive isotopes to be supplied through nonreactor sources. The Canadian Government has recently decided to support research and
development in expanding non-reactor based isotope production (using particle accelerators)
and that the development of a new research reactor could not be justified on the grounds of
isotope production.
By diversifying the sources of isotope production greater certainty in access to isotopes will be
achieved whilst simultaneously reducing the health risks associated with the operation of
nuclear research reactors.
RECOMMENDATIONS
The statement recommends that the inquiry look into both:
1. Radioisotope production
2. Nuclear medicine waste disposal
Importantly, it asks that the inquiry to be undertaken before any further actions are taken to
advance the construction of a federal radioactive waste dump in Australia.
BP excels itself
Is there an award for the most insensitive social and environmental action? On the
anniversary of BP oil disaster in the Gulf and with many harmed US citizens demonstrating
outside BP’s AGM in London, BP has made sizable donations to the Republican party which is
fighting stricter rules for offshore drilling and seeking the opening up of Wilderness areas.
I have changed my weekly fill up from BP to Woolworths much as I dislike the loss leader
approach. Their petrol is Caltex. The other options are all bad!
Important new reports on health, environment and climate change

Health and the environment: a compilation of evidence
http://www.aihw.gov.au/publicationdetail/?id=10737418534&libID=10737418533&tab=2. This compilation of research
evidence on how human health can be positively and negatively influenced by the
environment has been released today by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
(AIHW). Excellent report, use as a resource.

James Hansen et al conclude “the rate of sea level rise is likely to accelerate during the
next several years.” http://climateprogress.org/2011/04/20/hansen-sea-level-risefaustian-aerosol-bargain/print/

Doctors urged to take climate leadership role
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2011/apr/05/doctors-climate-changeleadership

Climate change is affecting the health of patients — and physicians are starting to see
the results American medical Association
http://climateprogress.org/2011/04/04/ama-climate-change-is-affecting-the-health-ofpatients-and-physicians-are-starting-to-see-the-results/print/

Clean Air Act delivered $1.3 trillion in health and other benefits in 2010 alone at $53
billion cost. This paper reviews a study from the Union of Concerned Scientists USA
http://climateprogress.org/2011/04/14/clean-air-act-benefits-ucs-ticker/print/

Climate change and POPs: Predicting the Impacts (From the Stockholm Convention on
persistent Organic pollutants). Excellent and comprehensive report
http://chm.pops.int/Programmes/GlobalMonitoringPlan/ClimateChangeandPOPsPredictin
gtheImpacts/tabid/1580/language/en-US/Default.aspx

Aphekom Report. Improving Knowledge and Communication for decision making on air
pollution and health in Europe. Excellent read and lots to learn Editor
http://www.endseurope.com/docs/110302b.pdf
Have a laugh or a cry column
An editorial in Investors Business Daily (USA) on 20/4
Climate change is speculation, not a proven fact, and the case for it has been based on
documented fraud coming out of the United Nation's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate
Change, Britain's Climate Research Unit and even our own NASA.
Data have been manipulated, manufactured and even suppressed to "hide the decline" in
global temperatures that have gone up and down in a regular pattern through history,
including the centuries preceding the Industrial Revolution. The planet has, in fact, cooled
slightly during a period of quiet solar activity.
Sea levels are not dangerously rising, the Himalayan glaciers are still there, the rain forests
are doing quite well, as are the polar bears. If people are suffering, it is because of the
damage being done to their economies by governments in the name of fighting climate
change, which is neither imminently dangerous nor man-made.
David Shearman
Hon Secretary