PSR Monitor

PSR joins doctors around the world in calling for ceasefire in Ukraine, avoiding nuclear catastrophe

At the end of April, International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War (IPPNW) held its 23rd World Congress in Mombasa, Kenya. PSR is the United States affiliate of IPPNW, a network of national medical organizations in 55 nations. During this Congress, representatives from all regions  of IPPNW gathered to discuss the gravest dangers the world faces right now, climate change and nuclear weapons, and their impacts on global public health. Out of this Congress emerged the Mombasa Appeal, which calls for an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine amidst the growing threat of nuclear escalation. The Appeal lays out the risks of nuclear catastrophe if the war in Ukraine wages on, and urges all states to join the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, among other sensible and urgent demands.

"This could be the last chance for us humans to close Pandora’s box and opt for common survival instead of mutual annihilation."

IPPNW World Congress 2023 Unveils Nexus between Disarmament, Climate Crisis, and Health

The IPPNW World Congress held in Mombasa, Kenya last month provided a crucial platform for global experts, activists, and students to address the critical issues of nuclear disarmament, climate crisis, and health. The delegation from the United States included Tova Fuller, MD, PhD and David Drake, DO, MTS from the PSR Board of Directors, members Bob Gould, MD, Ira Helfand, MD, Andy Kanter MD, PSR staffers Isabella Javidan and Jasmine Owens and Oregon PSR Executive Director Kamil Khan. Bob Dodge, MD and Ellen Ferranti, MD tuned into the Congress virtually. PSR’s own, Jasmine Owens and Isabella Javidan, made significant contributions through their workshops at the Congress. Javidan's workshop focused on analyzing traditional media narratives and challenging prevailing biases associated with nuclear issues, aiming to foster a more nuanced understanding of nuclear weapons' implications. Owens led a workshop on building bridges between nuclear-armed and non-nuclear-armed states, emphasizing the importance of dialogue and understanding to promote collaboration and abolition.

The congress explored key themes, shedding light on the U.S. military's status as the largest global producer of carbon emissions, emphasizing the need for comprehensive actions and policy changes to address the climate crisis. Discussions also highlighted the increased likelihood of conflicts resulting from the climate crisis, stemming from resource scarcity and environmental consequences. Additionally, the impact of uranium mining on the Global South emerged as a crucial concern, with a focus on the environmental hazards disproportionately affecting communities in those regions and the urgent need for environmentally just practices. The Congress concluded with the Mombasa Declaration, which underscores the urgent need to avoid nuclear catastrophe or environmental collapse, and recommits IPPNW to its responsibility to prevent what it cannot cure.

Overall, the IPPNW World Congress served as a platform to delve into the intricate connections between humanity's existential threats. By addressing these issues, participants and experts aimed to foster collaboration, promote comprehensive approaches, and raise awareness about the urgent need for a more sustainable and peaceful future.

New Bill Seeks Justice for U.S. Communities Harmed by Radiation Exposure at the hands of the U.S. Government

On May 18, Senator Ben Ray Lujan introduced the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act Amendments of 2023, a reintroduction of a bill from 2021 that seeks to extend and expand a program that compensates victims of nuclear weapons development and testing.

Since the dawn of the nuclear age, thousands of Americans have died or been harmed by U.S. nuclear weapons– disproportionately affecting poor, rural, Black, Indigenous, and people of color. From workers who mined and milled uranium without proper protective gear, to American citizens caught downwind of hundreds of nuclear tests and exposed to dangerous radiation without their consent, these weapons cause irreparable damage at every stage of production, maintenance and use.

Webinar: Growing Support for Nuclear Abolition

Please join Back from the Brink and Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA) via Zoom on Wednesday, May 31st at 8pm ET/5pm PT for Growing Support for Nuclear Abolition, to discuss H. Res. 77 — and what you can do to get more members of Congress to make diplomacy, arms control and nuclear abolition a priority. H. Res. 77, introduced by Rep. McGovern, calls on the United States to embrace the goals and provisions of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) and to adopt five specific Back from the Brink policy points to prevent nuclear war and achieve a world free of nuclear weapons.

Check out new resources from PSR 2022 Summer Interns

PSR is proud to share unique, new resources from the 2022 Nuclear Weapons Abolition Program's summer interns. Both interns dedicated their time with PSR to create zines discussing a relevant topic they were interested in. Summer intern Madeline Berzak created a zine, "Deterrence 101," critiquing Deterrence Theory from the perspective of Generation Z. And summer intern Kylie Jones created a zine, "The Nuclear Ban," that analyzed the history of the creation of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.

Both zines can be found on the PSR website. Please share and amplify these exciting and informative resources!

At Their Summit, G7 Leaders Utterly Failed to Learn the Lesson of Hiroshima

As part of their "G7 Summit" in Hiroshima, May 19-21, the heads of state from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK and the USA learned the grim realities of nuclear warfare when they heard directly from an atomic bomb survivor and toured the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum. But they utterly failed to grapple with the need to achieve global  nuclear weapons abolition, despite requests from PSR and myriad other entities around the world. Nor did the G7 even acknowledge the existence of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.

Welcome Miah Hornyak, New E&H Staffer!

Join us in welcoming Ms. Miah Hornyak as PSR National’s new Policy Coordinator for Environment & Health.

Miah, an advocate for the environment, environmental justice and public health, comes to us from Conservation Voters of PA, where as their Field Coordinator she helped elect a pro-environment majority in Pennsylvania's State House of Representatives and a pro-environment Governor. She has also worked in other environmental nonprofits, including Women for a Healthy Environment.

Miah received her M.A. in environmental policy from Lehigh University with a focus in environmental justice and her B.A. from the University of Pittsburgh in political science and environmental studies.

Welcome to the team, Miah!

Gas Stoves PSA Launches in Arizona

PSR Arizona has launched a digital PSA about harms to health from using fossil fuels in our homes. The brief video, featuring chapter board member Dr. Eve Shapiro, also addresses the economic impact on Arizona families who now have to pay Southwest gas more money for the very substance that’s degrading their respiratory health. Please check out and amplify the video on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

PSR Infographic Campaign Against Southwest Gas

As part of our efforts to stop Southwest Gas from expanding their methane gas infrastructure in Arizona and Nevada, PSR has released a series of infographics illustrating the health and environmental risks associated with gas stoves. These infographics emphasize the health-harming air pollutants produced by stoves, furnaces, water heaters and other appliances that burn methane (fracked or so-called “natural” gas). To access the infographics and gather more information, visit PSR's Instagram account.

Teach Your Patients the Dangers of Gas Stoves: Free CME Webinar

Gas stoves pose a health risk, particularly for children and the elderly. People living in homes with gas stoves experience higher rates of asthma, lung disease, and cardiovascular disease. This month, PSR's My Green Doctor offers a free 1-hour CME webinar and a short article that you can share with your patients.

PSR Hosts "Opportunities Fair" for Next-Generation Climate Ambassadors

PSR is hosting the first-ever Climate and Health Opportunities Fair for our Next- Generation Climate Ambassadors. The event will inform the Ambassadors, both the current cohort and earlier graduates, about ongoing opportunities for engagement with PSR and in the climate and health field. Speakers from the PSR network and beyond will present on ways the Ambassadors can remain involved in climate-related activities, ranging from academia to community organizing. Ambassadors will also have the opportunity to interact with speakers in breakout rooms.

PSR Executive Director Search

Physicians for Social Responsibility (PSR) recently launched a search for our next Executive Director. This is a unique opportunity to assume a leadership role in an organization with a 62-year history of working to abolish nuclear weapons and a 26-year history of working to protect human health from the grave threats of climate change.

Our team would greatly appreciate your suggestions and referrals of applicants for this important and exciting leadership role. If you or anyone you know would like to learn more, the full position profile and information on applying is available on our website.

Should you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to PSR’s Interim Executive Director, W. Taylor Carneiro-Johnson, at: wtjohnson@psr.org.

Upcoming Events

Building Decarbonization 101 and Environmental Justice Solutions
Wed. May 31, 7:00 pm PDT
PSR-Los Angeles invites you to a training providing an overview of what building decarbonization is, how to recognize and avoid unintended consequences, and how to advocate for equitable building decarbonization solutions for low-income residential homes. Register

Growing Support for Nuclear Abolition
Wed. May 31, 8:00 pm EDT
Join Back from the Brink and Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA) to discuss H. Res. 77 — and what you can do to get more members of Congress to make diplomacy, arms control and nuclear abolition a priority. Register

GBPSR Monthly Meeting
Jun. 5, 7:00 pm EDT
Greater Boston PSR's monthly meeting — open to all. Please contact Anna Linakis at abaker@gbpsr.org for Zoom information.

Gas Stove Media Training with Sunstone Strategies
Tue. Jun 13, 5:00 EDT
Media training from National PSR and Sunstone Strategies focusing on communicating the health risks of gas stoves. Register

Drivers and Outcomes of Pollution Disparities in Louisiana's Cancer Alley
Jun. 15, 12:30 pm EDT
Join PSR Pennsylvania for a discussion on Louisiana's Cancer Alley. Register

My Green Doctor - Cooking With Gas: Health Harms from Gas Stoves
Jul. 13 at Noon, 1:00 pm, or 2:00 pm ET
My Green Doctor is partnering with PSR to provide MGD members with a free, CME-accredited webinar on the health impacts of gas stoves. Three time slots offered. Register

More events

PSR Actions

Tell EPA to Set Strong Standards on Mercury

In the news

Colorado River pact isn’t much of a solution. What L.A. must do to save the river
Daniela Morales, PSR Next Gen Climate Ambassador, The Los Angeles Times - May 28

New tri-state co-op strives to shed light on solar
Observer-Reporter - May 23
Quotes Linnea Bond, PSR Pennsylvania's Health Educator and Campaign Coordinator

"Forever chemicals" in fracking
Santa Fe Reporter - May 22
Coverage of PSR's fracking chemicals in New Mexico report

A New Bill Proposes a Non-Lead Bullet Hunting Program
The Maverick Observer - May 22
Quotes Texas PSR Executive Director Rebecca Bernhardt

New Mexico's fracking water contains cancer-causing chemicals, study says
Santa Fe New Mexican - May 20
Article covering PSR's fracking chemicals in New Mexico report

As EPA Proposes Tougher Rules on Emissions, Report Names Pennsylvania as One of America's Top Polluters
Inside Climate News - May 16
Quotes PSR Pennsylvania's Walter Tsou, MD, MPH

Nonprofit Announces Ohio Valley Solar, EV Charger Co-Op
The Intelligencer - May 13
Mentions PSR Pennsylvania

2 NEPA energy plants on PA's "Dirty Dozen" list for highest greenhouse gas emissions
Fox 56 - May 10
Quotes PSR Pennsylvania's Walter Tsou, MD, MPH

Gas vs. electric stoves: Breaking down some burning health and environment questions
WBUR - May 9
Quotes Greater Boston PSR Chair Brita Lundberg, MD

Are Cruise Ships Crushing Seattle's Climate Goals?
The Urbanist - May 5
Quotes Anne Marie Dooley, MD of Washington PSR

Sen. Markey, Reps. Tonko, Fitzpatrick Announce Bipartisan Legislation to Strengthen Mental Health Services for Climate Anxiety
Sen. Ed Markey Press Release - May 4
Mentions PSR Maine and San Francisco Bay PSR

Thousands of Americans call for safeguards from gas stove health risks, as public health organizations mark World Asthma Day
Yahoo! News - May 2
Quotes PSR's Barb Gottlieb

Get rid of all 'forever chemicals'
Santa Fe New Mexican - May 1
Op-ed citing PSR's fracking chemicals in New Mexico report

Braintree chemical fire leaves behind a lot of questions
Brita Lundberg, MD, Greater Boston PSR Chair and Elizabeth Maglio, Braintree city councilor, Commonwealth Magazine - Apr 28

Oil drilling permits approved in California since start of 2019 rises to 14,623 as neighborhood feel the brunt
Sacramento News & Review - April 28
Quotes Marjaneh Moini, MD, PSR Board Member

Bill To Hold Oil Companies Presumptively Liable for Harms in Safety Zones Passes First Hurdle in the California Senate, Says Consumer Watchdog
Consumer Watchdog - Apr 26
Quotes Marjaneh Moini, MD, PSR Board Member

100+ Groups to NY Gov. Hochul: Don't Allow Radioactive Waste Dumping in Hudson River
Common Dreams - Apr 25
Mentions PSR New York

The Truth About Gas Stoves
State of the Planet - April 25
Cites PSR's gas stoves report

Legal Help for Evictions Face Strong Opposition From Some City, State and BIPOC Leaders
The Skanner - 25 April
Mentions Oregon PSR

Environmental Health Discussed with Scranton Community
Royal News - Apr 24
Article on talk given by PSR Pennsylvania Executive Director Tonyehn Verkitus

Earth Day 2023 – Investing in Our Planet
Robert Dodge, MD, PSR Los Angeles President, Common Dreams - Apr 22

Governor wants to protect New Mexicans from dangerous "forever chemicals" – but will she include the ones in oil and gas waste as well
WildEarth Guardians - Apr 21
Coverage of PSR's fracking chemicals in New Mexico report