Physicians For Social Responsibility
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PSR Monitor

April 25, 2023

Environment & Health

Photos from signing ceremony: PSR Interim Executive Director Dr. W. Taylor Carneiro-Johnson, President Biden speaking, President Biden signing the order, Dr. Natasha DeJarnett with Dr. Carneiro-Johnson

PSR's Interim Executive Director, Dr. W. Taylor Carneiro-Johnson, joined Dr. Natasha DeJarnett, Deputy Director for Environmental Justice Data and Evaluation, White House Council on Environmental Quality, in the White House Rose Garden for the signing of President Biden's historic Executive Order on environmental justice. Dr. DeJarnett is a former member of PSR’s Board of Directors and will assume the role of PSR’s Board President in 2024.

President Biden Signs Executive Order on Environmental Justice

PSR applauds President Biden's Executive Order creating the White House Office of Environmental Justice, which will move us closer to ensuring that all have a clean and healthy environment and better health outcomes in their communities. The Executive Order requires all executive branch agencies to incorporate environmental justice into their missions. PSR thanks the Biden-Harris Administration for its commitment to advancing equity, particularly for communities that face the greatest burdens and disproportionate environmental harms due to climate change. We are committed to working with the Administration to continue advancing environmental justice for all.

Cover image of report

New PSR Report Reveals Oil & Gas Companies Fracked New Mexico Wells with PFAS

PSR's latest report on toxic PFAS chemicals in fracking spotlights New Mexico. Eighty percent of state residents get their drinking water from groundwater, making these "forever" chemicals particularly risky.

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Graphic of hydrogen molecules

No hydrogen in our homes!

Blending hydrogen with methane to burn in your stove or furnace creates two types of dangerous outcomes. It increases the risk of explosions and fires. It also greatly increases the demand for methane, a potent greenhouse gas: Not only does it sustain the use of methane, but the hydrogen itself is likely derived from methane. Join PSR on Wednesday, April 26th at 2pm Eastern for a highly informative webinar to learn more about the dangers of hydrogen blending.

   Register here  

Free Media Training for PSR Members, Thanks to Sunstone Strategies

PSR is partnering with Sunstone Strategies to expand the opportunity for members and staff to receive free media training sessions. While this training will be based on gas stove pollution as an example, it is designed for health advocates and professionals to improve their skills speaking to the media and all types of audiences. Two training sessions will be offered: Thursday May 11th 3:00 - 5:30 ET / 12:00 - 2:30 pm PT (Register Here) and Tues, June 13th 5:00 - 7:30 ET / 2:00 - 4:30 pm PT (Register Here). If you're interested, please complete this short questionnaire.

Gas stovetop

Gas stoves should bear warning labels

Gas stoves burn methane, a potent greenhouse gas. They also emit nitrogen dioxide, an air pollutant that can cause lung damage, cardiac arrhythmias and stroke. Everyone should know about these potential dangers from their gas stoves, but most don't. The Consumer Product Safety Commission can require stove producers to alert consumers to these hazards — and if you're a health professional, you can help assure that they do. Please add your name to this letter to the CPSC, and share this letter with your health professional organization.

Smog in Los Angeles containing particulate matter

Next-Gen Ambassadors Advocate for Tougher Particulate Matter Standards

As part of our "Next-Generation Climate Ambassador" program, medical students and early-career health professionals learn advocacy skills for climate and health. Barb Gottlieb, PSR's Director of Environment and Health, recently conducted a training about writing effective public comments to the U.S. EPA. Participants learned about the health effects of particulate matter (PM), plus tips and tricks for writing public comments. They then had the opportunity to submit their own comments, urging EPA to tighten the current PM standard to protect human health. You can view one of their public comment submissions here.

Take Action for Earth Month

Earth Month is a time to celebrate our planet and take action to protect our health and the health of our planet. Together with PSR you can take action today to create a healthier planet:

PSR Actions: -#DemandAccess Campaign advocates for investing in human health - not bombs. -Educating health professionals about the dangers of gas stove pollution -Reporting on state-specific fracking contamination -Advocating for the Nuclear Weapons Ban Treaty -Advocating against dangerous climate legislation locally and federally | Actions YOU Can Take: -Write your U.S. lawmakers TODAY with "Our health and the health of the planet depend on slashing fossil fuels. Electrification of our homes and buildings, using renewable energy, will do that." -Tell the EPA to set higher standards for Particulate Matter -Urge your U.S. Representative to help reduce the risk of nuclear war -Apply to be a PSR Climate Ambassador -Apply to become an Access Ambassador for our #DemandAccess campaign

Working together, we can create a cleaner and healthier planet for future generations. In honor of Earth Month, PSR has set a goal to raise $10,000 to help us with our work all year long. Please consider making a donation today. If you have already made a gift, you can also check out the impact you are making towards our goal.

Nuclear Weapons Abolition

How much do you pay for nuclear weapons?

Where do nuclear weapons fit into your priorities?

On tax day, April 18, PSR-Los Angeles launched the Nuclear Weapons Community Cost project. Each April for 34 years, PSR-LA President Dr. Bob Dodge has dived headfirst into federal budget numbers to be able to tell American taxpayers the true cost of the entire "nuclear weapons enterprise." How much does your community pay to support nuclear weapons?

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Jasmine Owens presenting to studentsJasmine giving a presentation on intersectional organizing for nuclear abolition at a nuclear undergraduate workshop hosted by the Truman Center in Atlanta, Georgia.

PSR heads to Atlanta for a nuclear undergraduate workshop

On April 14-15, Jasmine Owens, PSR’s Nuclear Weapons Abolition Associate Director, headed to Atlanta, Georgia for a workshop hosted by the Truman Center to engage undergraduate students on nuclear weapons issues and showcase the many career paths available to them in this work. Jasmine was invited to give a presentation to the students on the importance of intersectionality, organizing and advocacy in the nuclear abolition movement.

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Nuclear Weapons Ban Monitor: Tracking Progress Towards a World Free of Nuclear Weapons

Ban Treaty makes progress, even swimming upstream

PSR is proud to be one of 650 Partner Organizations in the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN), awarded the 2017 Nobel Peace Prize for its successful efforts to pass the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW). On March 29, Norwegian People's Aid (another ICAN partner) released Nuclear Weapons Ban Monitor 2022, which tracks progress toward implementing the ban.

On the plus side, the Monitor reported that with 68 ratifications and another 27 signatories, the TPNW is just 4 signatories shy of 50% of the nations of the world. On the minus side, the Monitor also reported that the global arsenal of nuclear weapons "available for use" by the nine nuclear-armed states has increased from 9,440 warheads in 2021 to 9,576 in January, 2023 as a result of Russia, China, India, North Korea and Pakistan all increasing the size of their arsenals. If only 3% of the world's arsenals were used to attack cities, it could trigger nuclear famine.

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Upcoming Events


The Biggest Malpractice: How Hospitals Betray the Public Trust with Billions in Fossil Fuel Pension Investments
Wed. Apr. 26, 11:00 am EDT
Webinar on a new report documenting the levels of fossil fuel investments at major U.S. healthcare institutions. Featuring PSR Board Member Dr. Marjaneh Moini. Register


Webinar: Hydrogen Blending
Wed. Apr. 26, 2:00 - 3:00 pm EDT
Join PSR for a webinar spotlighting the climate, safety and health dangers of hydrogen blending. Register


Northwestern Pennsylvania Town Hall Meeting
Wed. Apr. 26, 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm EDT
Beaver Area Memorial Library, 100 College Ave, Beaver, PA
PSR Pennsylvania and Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania are hosting a Town Hall in Beaver, PA, for communities in Northwestern Pennsylvania. Register


PSR Sacramento Essay Contest Finals Luncheon
Sun. Apr. 30, Noon - 2:30 pm PDT
Hilton Arden West, 2200 Harvard St, Sacramento, CA
Join PSR Sacramento for luncheon at the Hilton Arden West at which the 10 finalists in this year's high school essay contest will present their essays in person and the first, second, and third place winners will be chosen. Register


GBPSR Monthly Meeting
Mon. May 1, 7:00 pm EDT
Greater Boston PSR Monthly Meeting — open to all. Please contact Anna Linakis at abaker@gbpsr.org for Zoom information.


Book Discussion – A New War on Cancer: The Unlikely Heroes Revolutionizing Prevention
Thu. May 4, 6:00 - 7:00 pm EDT
Join PSR Pennsylvania for a discussion with Kristina Marusic on her recent book. Register


Denver Cinco de Mayo
May 5 - 7
Civic Center Park, Denver, CO
Come visit PSR Colorado at our booth at Denver's Cinco de Mayo celebrations in Civic Center Park. Better yet, contact us at info@psrcolorado.org to volunteer to help! This is a fun event and wonderful public outreach opportunity.


Poets for Peace
Sat. May 6, 2:00 - 5:00 pm CDT
Blip Roasters, 1301 Woodswether Rd, Kansas City, MO
Benefit show for PeaceWorks Kansas City with poets, spoken word artists, social justice activists, and food vendors. PSR Kansas City is part of PeaceWorks.


Gas Stove Media Training with Sunstone Strategies
Thu. May 11, 3:00 pm EDT
Media training from National PSR and Sunstone Strategies focusing on communicating the health risks of gas stoves. Register


Big Oil Resistance Tour: Oakland
Fri. May 12, 6:00 - 9:00 pm PDT
Bloc15, 252 2nd St, Oakland, CA
Join a dynamic evening in Oakland to learn what Governor Newsom must do next to protect our communities and our climate and to join the broad-based movement that we're building to demand action. Co-sponsored by SF Bay PSR. Register


Exploring Public Health Impacts of Climate Change on Water in Philadelphia Region Through Artistic Reflections
Wed. May 17, 6:30 - 8:00 pm EDT
Fairmount Water Works Interpretive Center, 640 Waterworks Dr, Philadelphia, PA
Please join PSR-Pennsylvania for an evening of conversation about art and public health with physician and public health expert Dr. Pouné Saberi and artist Dr. Pia De Girolamo, MD. Register


Extreme Heat: The Deadliest Climate-Related Health Hazard
Thu. May 18, 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm PT
Join SF Bay PSR for a rich discussion with an expert panel of speakers who will cover heat-related health issues and what we need to do to ensure a just transition to renewable energy and electrification. Register


Induction Cooking Workshop
Tue. May 23, 10:00 am - 1:00 pm EDT
Swarthmore College Dining Center, 500 College Ave, Swarthmore, PA
Are you interested in decarbonizing buildings by converting your gas kitchen to induction cooking equipment? Join PSR Pennsylvania for this in-person workshop! Register


Memorial Day at the KC National Security Campus
Mon. May 29, 11:00 am CDT
Meet at Prospect & MO Hwy. 150, Kansas City, MO
Walk to and rally at the new nuke-production plant, the KC National Security Campus (NSC), co-organized by PSR Kansas City.


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


More events


In the news


U.S. nuclear taxes — the true costs
Robert Dodge, MD, PSR-Los Angeles President, The Hill - Apr 19

 


Bill to Hold Oil Drillers Presumptively Liable For Harms in Drilling Safety Zones Garners Support of 130+ Group Coalition Including Consumer Watchdog, That Powered Through Gasoline Price Gouging Penalty Bill
Consumer Watchdog - Apr 18
Quotes PSR-Los Angeles Executive Director Martha Dina Argüello

 


With a New Pennsylvania Governor, Lawmakers Push to Move Drilling Sites From Communities
Capital & Main - Apr 17
Quotes PSR Pennsylvania's Ned Ketyer, MD

 


As CA neighborhood drilling soars, number of oil drilling permits approved in past 3 years rise to 14,623
Red, Green, and Blue - Apr 16
Quotes Marjaneh Moini, MD, Board Member

 


Plan to Dump Wastewater From Indian Point Into Hudson River Paused After Local Outcry
Common Dreams - Apr 14
Mentions PSR New York

 


Organization calls for greater scrutiny of oil and gas operations amid PFAS concerns
NM Political Report - Apr 13
Coverage of PSR's fracking chemicals in New Mexico report

 


'Forever chemicals' found in New Mexico oil and gas wells. Could toxify water, study says
Carlsbad Current-Argus - Apr 12
Coverage of PSR's fracking chemicals in New Mexico report

 


Use of 'forever chemicals' is widespread in New Mexico drilling operations, report finds
The Hill - Apr 12
Coverage of PSR's fracking chemicals in New Mexico report

 


New report reveals oil and gas companies fracked New Mexico wells with toxic PFAS
WildEarth Guardians - Apr 12
Coverage of PSR's fracking chemicals in New Mexico report

 


LA's controversial plan to switch a gas plant to hydrogen
KCRW - Apr 12
Quotes PSR-Los Angeles' Alex Jasset

 


California climate groups feel burned after backing Big Oil windfall bill
Capital & Main - Apr 12
Quotes PSR-Los Angeles Executive Director Martha Dina Argüello

 


Hydrogen Blending: A Dangerous Pipe Dream
PSR Colorado - Apr 12
Recording of PSR Colorado webinar featuring National PSR's Barbara Gottlieb on the dangers of hydrogen blending

 


Local activist wins Gandhi-King-Ikeda Award
The Greylock Glass - Apr 11
The MLK Chapel at Morehouse College awarded PSR Past President Dr. Ira Helfand for his work on the Back from the Brink campaign.

 


Can Easter enlighten the nuclear crisis?
Daily Hampshire Gazette - Apr 7
Mentions PSR and Back from the Brink

 


Air pollution may raise risk of dementia, analysis says
The Washington Post - Apr 5
Quotes PSR Board Member Gaurab Basu, MD, MPH

 


Addressing The Aftermath Of February’s Clean Harbors Chemical Fire
Dig Boston - Apr 5
Cites Greater Boston PSR's Weymouth Compressor report

 


Downstream Radioactivity: What on Earth Is Coming Out of the Pipes?
Truthdig - Apr 5
Recording of event featuring speakers from PSR Pennsylvania

 


CA Climate activists protest approval of hundreds of neighborhood oil permits this year
Indybay - Apr 5
Quotes PSR Board Member Marjaneh Moini, MD

 


In Texas Fracking, 'Forever Chemicals' Abound
Undark - Apr 4
Coverage of PSR's fracking chemicals in Texas report

 


Safe and Healthy Colorado Coalition Calls for Phasing Out New Oil and Gas Permits by 2030
Mile High CRE - Apr 4
Quotes PSR Colorado's Barbara Donachy, MPH

 


President and Congress must move the world away from nuclear brink
Robert Dodge, MD, PSR-Los Angeles President, and Sean Meyer, Ojai Valley News - Mar 30

 


Thousands of pounds of “forever chemicals” have been injected into Texas oil and gas wells, study finds
Texas Tribune - Mar 27
Coverage of PSR's fracking chemicals in Texas report

 


Texas fracking is exacerbating the PFAS crisis
Grist - Mar 27
Coverage of PSR's fracking chemicals in Texas report

 


Pipeline—or Pipe Bomb?
The River - Mar 24
Cites PSR's fracking Compendium

 


Biden, Congress, and Nuclear Disarmament Leadership
Robert Dodge, MD, PSR Board Member, and Sean Meyer, Back from the Brink, Common Dreams - Mar 23

 


It's Time for the Health Sector to Stop Bankrolling the Fossil Fuel Industry
Linda Rudolph, MD, MPH, PSR Board Member; Naomi Beyeler, MPH, MCP; and Bill McKibben, NEJM Catalyst - Mar 21

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