Australian Federation of Medical Women aims to take action to improve the health of Women and Children – inextricably linked to Environmental Health (and it is the women and children who are often the first to suffer when health parameters slip).
To this end we as an organisation are active members of CAHA (Climate and Health Alliance), and many of us are individually members of DEA (Doctors for the Environment Australia).
I would encourage our members to consider this appeal from DEA who urgently need donations to support a public awareness campaign focusing on the dangers of ongoing investment in fossil fuels, particularly gas projects.
Please read the appeal from DEA below,
Brenda
AFMW President
Doctors for the Environment Australia Support Request
I’m Dr Kate Wylie, the Executive Director of Doctors for the Environment Australia. I’m not going to mince words — I’m about to ask you for money.
On Wednesday, Pauline Hanson used her first address to the Press Club to call for Australia to double down on digging up and burning fossil gas. It’s the latest example of how the industry has effectively exploited the limited public understanding of the harms of its product to maintain ongoing and serious political influence.
…. there is growing evidence of the health harms of fossil gas: from childhood asthma associated with gas cooking, to the impacts of gas extraction and climate pollution.
Perhaps like me you have watched over the years how many excellent conservationists, academics, and lawyers have fought hard to ban new fossil gas projects in Australia with only limited success. It is increasingly clear that, like the tobacco industry before it, the struggle against the fossil fuel industry in Australia can only succeed with the rigorous, coordinated, public opposition of health experts.
We have developed a plan to do just that.
With the end of financial year rapidly approaching, we are approx $87,000 short of being able to execute a public awareness campaign to take on the gas industry. It would change minds and behaviour, save lives and the planet, and cement DEA’s place as a trusted authority on the intersection of health and the environment.
We are well on the way towards publishing a new report to expose the health hazards of fossil gas, but we lack the funds for three key tactics to ensure this research has impact:
A public relations strategy to get this research in the hands of the traditional media and federal decision-makers
A message-testing program to identify the most persuasive messages that can communicate the health harms of gas in a way that results in behavioural change.
The production of high-visibility, public awareness video advertising (using these tested messages) and budget to place these ads in targeted social media advertising and select television markets.
The board and I know that this is an increasingly urgent intervention that only DEA can make. If you are able, please make a tax-deductible donation before the end of financial year to support this unique work.
………….
Dr Kate Wylie
Executive Director
Doctors for the Environment Australia
Dr Brenda Masters is a Canberra GP, President of the AFMW (2024-2026).
Brenda grew up in rural SA, studied Medicine in Adelaide, and has worked in Practices around the country before settling in our beautiful National Capital over 20 years ago.
Brenda is keenly involved in the Medical Women’s Society of ACT and Region, a group who provide both networking and peer support. She believes that everyone should be given the opportunity to realise their full potential in life and applies this to both her work and her relationships.
Brenda enjoys gardening and singing in her spare time and tries to make the most of Canberra’s proximity to the snow.