Authors: Mark Birch, Nigel Brown, David Buckman, Annette Byron, Anne Kleinitz, Brett Sutton, Deon V Canyon
ISBN: 978-0-9806910-0-9 (pdf)

The study of environmental health is an acknowledgement that humankind, whilst dependent upon the environment, is also the main environmental sculptor. Neither the environment nor humankind will be sustained by default, but only by the actions of the latter. Environmental health is concerned with nurturing the future due to the fact that there is usually a lag time between policy change and subsequent consequences. When discussed in the context of human health, environmental health refers not only to the natural bio-geographical environment but also the social environment. Mankind is fully responsible for the latter but only partially for the former. A change in philosophies driving health policy is inevitable in response to changing imperatives; changes in the political and cultural landscapes; advances in technology and emerging global issues.
In this book, certain key concepts are introduced: sustainable communities; social capital; health inequity; community capacity; social and environmental justice, and others. Each is given a context when applied to rural, remote and Indigenous environmental health in Australasia. These abstract terms have a superficial appeal, but the concepts are not as simple as they first appear. When their meanings are expanded upon, ambiguities appear and tensions emerge between concepts. Meanwhile health promotion is a collective exercise requiring effective communication. If these concepts are to guide health policy, the minimum requirement is that they be clear, strongly grounded and widely understood.
This book is intended as a philosophical introduction for those who aspire to promote the cause of rural, remote and Indigenous environmental health. The reader is encouraged to think about the limitations that apply to current consensus on the
understanding of these concepts and the difficulties and dilemmas that arise in their further application. Furthermore, it is intended to inform the process of formulating one's own understanding and opinions.
The idea that environments and communities must be sustained as a prerequisite to health by the actions of people is examined with social and environmental justice imperatives in mind. Health equity, another imperative, is part of this equation. Lessons to be learned are presented and discussed following an examination of communities around the globe and their relevance to Australasia. Globally it is the denial or infringement of basic human rights that stands out as the main barrier to environmental health promotion. Reasons for policy failure are also explored, as are key barriers to be overcome, and suggestions are provided for overcoming them.
Many rural, remote and Indigenous communities are small and isolated, but paradoxically this presents an opportunity for effective changes to be made. The notion, for example, of a small community supplying its own energy needs with renewable energy (such as solar, wind, and hydro-electric) makes much more sense than a city doing the same. Sustainability is more than just survival or maintenance of the status quo; it implies that life is rich and rewarding; that justice can be achieved; and that future generations are given the same opportunity as the present one.