PSR Monitor

AMA Acknowledges Dangers Associated with Methane Gas

The American Medical Association (AMA) recently adopted two resolutions related to PSR's work: one flagging the health threats associated with gas stoves, the other citing the dangers of blending hydrogen with methane. Both were passed at the annual meeting of the AMA's House of Delegates.

Greater PSR Boston played an important role in initiating and supporting both resolutions.

In a related development, upon passage of the resolutions, Gov. Inslee of Washington State thanked PSR in a tweet for raising awareness of the health risks of burning gas in the home.

New PSR Report Slams Burning Hydrogen in Homes

PSR is pleased to announce the release of our new report, Hydrogen Pipe Dreams: Why Burning Hydrogen In Buildings Is Bad For Climate and Health. Gas companies are pushing blending hydrogen with the methane used in our gas-burning furnaces and stoves. This is a terrible idea. Not only does this prolong the use of methane gas (which is 80x more powerful than carbon dioxide in trapping heat in our atmosphere); hydrogen blending also produces even more indoor air pollutants than methane gas alone.

Read the report and learn more here.

On-Demand Webinar Available: Air Pollution, Climate and Health

Greater Boston PSR and the Massachusetts Medical Society announce their new CME-accredited webinar, Connecting The Dots: Air Pollution, Climate and Health.

The webinar is available on demand for free, or viewers can register to receive CME credit.

Click here to view the webinar and learn how to receive credit.

Judge Upholds Finding in PSR Lawsuits

Lawsuits filed by Physicians for Social Responsibility, WildEarth Guardians, and the Western Environmental Law Center reached a final, and favorable, resolution. The suits challenged the sale of fracking rights on public lands in five western states. A judge upheld earlier decisions that the U.S. Interior Department's Bureau of Land Management had failed to address the climate implications of leasing oil and gas. As a result, the Biden administration will review and reconsider decisions to sell oil and gas leases on nearly four million acres of public lands.

PSR Climate Ambassadors At Work

Yet another PSR Climate Ambassador — PSR Arizona board member Eve Shapiro, MD, MPH — successfully placed an op-ed on climate change. Dr. Shapiro's article in the Arizona Daily Star calls on the Senate to pass climate policy, especially given the health consequences of climate-driven heat waves in the Southwest. Dr. Shapiro noted, "...this summer will be another test for Arizonans' resilience to the harmful health consequences of climate change and an energy system dependent on fossil fuels." Want to join PSR's Climate Ambassadors? Contact jassael@psr.org for more information.

PSR Lends Its Voice

• PSR added its name to a letter prepared by the American Lung Association urging EPA to propose national air quality standards for particulate matter (PM2.5) at the most protective level recommended by EPA's Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee.
• PSR signed two different letters — one authored led by the Sierra Club, the other by the American Lung Association — in support of EPA's Cross State Air Pollution Rule, which would protect public health by addressing dangerous interstate ozone pollution.

Thousands Demand Justice and Equity at Poor People’s Campaign Moral March

On June 18, thousands of diverse people — including PSR members and staff — converged "in real life" on Washington, D.C. to demand that the United States reorient its priorities to put the people first. Faith leaders joined forces with marchers from across the USA representing social justice, labor, disarmament, environmental, veterans' rights and other movements in a "moral fusion" to express their common vision of a hopeful future at the Poor People's Campaign's "Moral March on Washington and to the Polls."

Countries Unite for Powerful Anti-Nuclear Declaration at First TPNW Meeting

This week, over 80 delegations — including both States Parties and Observers — attended the First Meeting of States Parties to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (1MSP). Chaired by 1MSP President Alexander Kmentt of Austria, the historic gathering saw a renewed interest in denouncing nuclear deterrence, augmented representation of survivors and affected communities from the Global South, and robust civil society participation. After three days of inspired debate, the 1MSP concluded with a revolutionary Vienna Declaration and Action Plan, the strongest multilateral condemnation of nuclear weapons ever.

Commemorating the Largest Disarmament Protest in History

The weekend of June 11th saw numerous events and discussions surrounding the anniversary of the March for Peace and Justice on June 12th, 1982, in New York City. This march is known to be the largest mass protest for nuclear disarmament in history.

Participants and speakers not only commemorated this demonstration to acknowledge the actions of original organizers and activists, but also to grapple with lessons from the past in present nuclear disarmament work. The larger theme of connecting nuclear disarmament to other social causes and movements was present in all three events.

Reps. Barbara Lee and Mark Pocan Introduce People Over Pentagon Act, Call for $100 billion cuts to U.S. Military Budget

On June 16, the Senate Armed Services Committee egregiously voted in a bipartisan manner to add an additional $45 billion to the already $813 billion defense budget request from President Biden. Then, last week the House  Armed Services Committee followed suit — from a proposal from Democratic Rep. Jared Golden — and voted in a bipartisan manner to add $37 billion to the defense budget. These votes are absolutely unconscionable. The government refuses to adequately address the proximate security concerns of American taxpayers — like climate change, racism, education, lack of access to health care and housing, food insecurity, and so much more — while funneling valuable taxpayer dollars to the pockets of defense companies. However, Reps. Barbara Lee and Mark Pocan have proposed a new bill that would begin to rein in unchecked military spending.

PSR Statement on the Dobbs Decision Overturning Roe v. Wade

PSR stands with the countless public health leaders and organizations who are warning of the serious and inequitable health harms to come as a result of this decision.

Upcoming Events

Guaranteed Basic Income: A Powerful Health Intervention
Jun 30, 6:00 - 7:30 pm PDT
Please join WPSR for a special virtual event exploring the health and economic benefits of a targeted Guaranteed Basic Income (GBI) program in Washington. Register

Annual 4th Fest
Sun. Jul. 4, Noon CDT
Coralville, IA
PSR Iowa will again have a prominent place in the Annual 4th Fest, July 4th at noon (CDT). This year we will be encouraging parade audience members to consider their driving habits and consider how to save money, gas, and the climate accordingly. Register

Climate Emergency Film Club: Permafrost
Thu. Jul. 21, 6:00 - 7:00 pm EDT
Join us for five intriguing panel discussions over the next six months as we delve into the Climate Emergency: Feedback Loops. CME, CEU and CEs available. Watch the film at feedbackloopsclimate.com. Register

The Russian invasion of Ukraine and the growing danger of nuclear war
Wed. Jul. 27, 5:00 pm EDT
Chilmark Library, Chilmark, Martha's Vineyard, MA
Join PSR's Dr. Ira Helfand as he weighs in the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the growing dangers and potential consequences of a nuclear war, and the "Back from the Brink" movement in the United States that aims to abolish nuclear weapons.

The War Game with Guest Speaker Dr. Ira Helfand
Fri. Jul. 29, 7:30 pm EDT
MV Film Center, Vineyard Haven, Martha's Vineyard, MA
Screening of the 1965 docudrama depicting a hypothetical nuclear attack on Britain, with guest speaker Dr. Ira Helfand of PSR. Tickets

Lanterns for Peace
Sun. Aug. 7, 6:30 pm CDT
Tenney Park, Madison, WI – Outside of the John Wall Family Pavilion
Join PSR Wisconsin for this family friendly event to commemorate the lives lost in the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings 77 years ago and make sure that such nuclear attacks never again take place.

2022 Hiroshima & Nagasaki Memorial Event
Mon. Aug. 8, 6:00 – 7:15 pm PDT
Japanese American Historical Plaza, NW Naito Pkwy & Couch St, Portland, OR
Join Oregon PSR and community partners for the annual Portland-area memorial to the victims of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Learn more

More events

PSR Actions

It's budget season. Tell Congress to divest from war.

In the news

Fossil Fuel-Funded Cop Kills California Climate Legislation
Value Walk - Jun 22
Quotes Martha Dina Argüello, Executive Director of PSR-Los Angeles

Every hour, this gas storage station sends half a ton of methane into the atmosphere
The Tallahatchie Sun-Sentinel - Jun 20
Mentions PSR

We need climate action as another hot summer arrives
Eve Shapiro, MD, MPH, PSR Climate Ambassador, Arizona Daily Star - Jun 17

CDC study finds elevated levels of PFAS in Security-Widefield residents
KRDO - Jun 14
Quotes PSR's Barbara Gottlieb

Why do we accept asthma with our 'natural' gas?
Brita Lundberg, MD, Greater Boston PSR, and Carlos A. Camargo, MD, CommonWealth Magazine - Jun 13

To protect public health, end fracking
Dr. Victoria A. Gardner, PSR Member, Loveland Reporter-Herald - Jun 13
Cites PSR's fracking Compendium

California Bill Wields State's Purchasing Power for Climate Action
Clean Technica - Jun 11
Mentions SF Bay PSR

People vs. Fossil Fuels Launches Petition to Attorney General Merrick Garland and U.S. Department of Justice: End Opposition to Juliana v. United States Youth Climate Case!
Common Dreams - Jun 9
Mentions PSR

Colorado is the first state to ban PFAS in oil and gas extraction
Environmental Health News - Jun 8
Cites PSR's fracking chemicals report

Debate reopens over lead ammo and fishing tackle in refuges
Jun 8 - E&E News
Quotes Rebecca Bernhardt, executive director of Texas Physicians for Social Responsibility

Planners back a ban on new oil and gas wells in unincorporated Los Angeles County
San Gabriel Valley Tribune - Jun 8
Mentions PSR-LA

Biden Administration Settles Oil and Gas Lawsuits
Pagosa Daily Post - Jun 6
Coverage of PSR lawsuit

Settlement Calls for Feds to Reconsider Extractive Leases on Public Lands
Sante Fe Reporter - Jun 3
Coverage of PSR lawsuit

Reps. Defazio, Jayapal, Mace, and Schiff Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Assert Congressional War Powers and End Unauthorized U.S. Military Involvement in Yemen War
Rep. Peter DeFazio Press Release - Jun 1
Mentions PSR

The Legal Clash Over a City's Landmark Natural Gas Ban
Route Fifty - May 31
Mentions SF Bay PSR

L.A. is banning most gas appliances in new homes. Get ready for electric stoves
Los Angeles Times - May 27
Quotes Martha Dina Argüello, Executive Director of PSR-Los Angeles

Everything to Know About Induction Cooktops
Food52 - May 27
Cites PSR's gas stoves report

A Los Angeles teen led a fight to shut down urban oil wells, survived cancer, and won a 'Green Nobel'
Business Insider - May 26
Mentions PSR-Los Angeles

'We're not giving up:' Protestors, neighbors rally near Peabody peaker plant site
Wicked Local - May 26
Mentions Greater Boston PSR

Meet the 2022 Goldman Environmental Prize Winners
Mongabay - May 25
Mentions PSR-Los Angeles