Doctors for the Environment Australia

02/02/2026

Happy World Wetlands Day!

Wetlands are one of our most vital natural resources, providing a wide range of benefits that support both human and planetary health. Wetlands filter pollutants from the air and water, support biodiversity, reduce flood peaks, and store more carbon than any other ecosystem.

Sadly, wetlands are also the most threatened ecosystem on Earth, disappearing three times faster than forests.

The theme of this year’s World Wetlands Day is ‘Wetlands and Traditional Knowledge: Celebrating Cultural Heritage’. Australia has 67 internationally significant Ramsar wetlands, 11 of which are jointly managed by the government and Traditional Owners.

Traditional Owners have been caring for Country for generations. Listening to and valuing their knowledge and perspectives is crucial for keeping our precious wetlands healthy.

The Convention on Wetlands

30/01/2026

🌡️People in southeastern Australia are sweating through a record-breaking extreme heatwave⚠️

Heatwaves are a silent killer, so it’s important to know the signs of heat-related illness and take steps to keep yourself and your loved ones safe 👇

29/01/2026

This week, Victoria recorded its hottest temperature ever, 48.9C. Temperatures like this are extremely dangerous, and not normal.

As Doctors for the Environment Australia Executive Director and GP Dr Kate Wylie says

“Australia is renowned for being a hot country, but the heat we’re experiencing now is not business as usual.”

Read more 👇

Neerim South dairy farmer Dave Johnson said this is the driest summer he’s experienced in 40 years working the land.

29/01/2026

When will our government put the health and wellbeing of the people ahead of the interests of the fossil fuel industry?

29/01/2026

We are thinking of you Tim Read MP 💚

28/01/2026

🌡️Heatwaves can take a serious toll on your mental health. 👇

Extreme heat can disrupt sleep, increase stress and irritability, and limit access to coping strategies like exercise, time in nature and social connection.

Research shows that there is a clear link between high temperatures and mental ill health. A 2024 UNSW study found youth emergency department visits for suicidal thoughts or behaviours increased by 1.3% for every 1°C rise in daily mean temperatures in NSW.

Climate change is making heatwaves more frequent and severe, and our health system is already feeling the strain. Our government needs to treat the climate crisis as the public health emergency it is and urgently phase out fossil fuels.

If you need mental health support, please contact your GP or:
Lifeline: 13 11 14
Beyond Blue: 1300 224 63

27/01/2026

Heatwaves pose a serious threat to human health; extreme heat kills more Australians than any other climate disaster.

Hot temperatures increase our risk of heat-related illness, like heat stroke and heat exhaustion. Heatwaves can also increase our risk of heart attacks, strokes and kidney disease, as well as exacerbate mental illness.

With temperatures exceeding 40 degrees across the country this week, it’s important to take steps to protect your health 👇

- Drink plenty of fluids
- Avoid alcohol
- Wear loose, light coloured clothing
- Avoid going out in the heat of the day if you can, but if you must go, seek shaded areas when possible.
- Use an air conditioner or a fan, or spray yourself with cool water
- If your house is too hot, head to a cool public area like a library or shopping centre. Many have extended hours this week, to help people beat the heat.

For health advice, contact your GP or ‘Nurse-on-Call’ 1300 60 60 24. In an emergency, always call 000.

💡Heatwaves are increasing in frequency and severity because of climate change. We need to protect ourselves on hot days, and protect the health of future generations by ditching the cause of this problem, Fossil Fuels.

27/01/2026

Australia is in the midst of an intense record-breaking heatwave, with temperatures in the high 40s across much of southern Australia and out-of-control bushfires burning in Victoria.

This isn't a 'normal summer', this is climate chaos. The science is clear and indisputable: pollution from burning fossil fuels is trapping heat in the Earth's atmosphere, which is making our world hotter and our climate dangerously unstable.

The fossil fuel industry continues to pocket massive profits, despite knowing that it is directly contributing to the costly climate chaos that is destroying lives and livelihoods.

To protect the health of our friends, families and loved ones, we must keep putting pressure on our governments to take urgent action to phase out fossil fuels.

25/01/2026

☀️ Heatwave Alert ⚠️

With extreme heat impacting most of the country this week, it’s important to take steps to protect your health 👇

22/01/2026

🎥 In 2023, DEA’s Executive Director Dr Kate Wylie appeared on The Project, warning that climate change and extreme heat pose a serious threat to our health system - a warning that has only grown more urgent since.

The climate crisis is a health crisis. To protect the health of our communities, we must improve the climate resilience of Australia’s healthcare system.

21/01/2026

A new UN report has declared a global state of “water bankruptcy.” Around the world, major rivers, lakes and aquifers are being depleted faster than they can be replenished.

Here in Australia, water security is a major concern. Just this week, extreme heat in Karratha has been drying up groundwater sources across the Pilbara, and the Murray-Darling Basin, one of our most important water systems, was declared 'critically endangered'.

Clean, safe water is essential to all life on earth. We need strong national and international leadership to safeguard our precious water resources for the future.

20/01/2026

The High Seas Treaty has officially come into effect 🎉

Australia signed the treaty in 2023, but has not yet ratified it.

Late last year, we hand-delivered our open letter to Environment and Water Minister Murray Watt, calling on the government to introduce a bill to the federal parliament to ratify the High Seas Treaty 🌊✉️

This treaty is a historic leap for ocean protection. Now is the time for the Australian Government to show real global leadership by urgently ratifying the agreement.

Murray Watt - Senator for Queensland Anthony Albanese