PSR Monitor

Representative Smith and Senator Warren Reintroduce the No First Use Act

On April 15, 2021, Senator Elizabeth Warren and Representative Adam Smith reintroduced the No First Use Act, which would officially establish that the United States policy is to not use nuclear weapons as a means of warfare first. This legislation is vitally important to reduce the risks of nuclear war. Help PSR line up members of Congress to show support for No First Use!

PSR on military spending: time to change the status quo

The Biden administration released an overview "budget blueprint" in April and is expected to churn out a full budget proposal sometime in late May. PSR takes exception to many particular items that will likely be included in the full budget, and we intend to challenge the "topline" military spending numbers. President Trump took military spending to a very high plateau ($740 billion in fiscal year 2021, or $84 million per hour). Biden appears poised to carry these absurd military numbers forward, and PSR will be asking you to help change that this year.

Nuclear Weapons Community Cost Calculator

Each April, Dr. Bob Dodge, PSR-LA President, PSR Board Member, co-chair of PSR's Committee to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (PSR-CAN), and co-founder of Citizens for Peaceful Resolutions, calculates the cost of nuclear weapons programs to our communities. For Fiscal Year 2021, he has calculated the total nuclear weapons drain on our economy at $75 billion. You can see what the costs are in your community here. A table with costs for major cities throughout the United States, as well as source references, is also provided.

PSR chapters celebrate Earth Day, Protect the Earth

Earth Day is an annual event focused on environmental protection. Take a look at what some of our PSR chapters across the country have been doing to support the cause.

And if you missed PSR's Earth Day Campaign last week, you can still contribute here.

PSR Welcomes National Staff and Board Members

PSR is excited to welcome two new national staff members to our national staff: Mari Faines as Director of Communications and Outreach; and LaTisha Henderson as Direct Mail and Membership Manager. PSR also welcomes new board members Tova Fuller, MD, PhD; Adrienne L. Hollis, PhD, JD; and Laalitha Surapaneni, MBBS, MPH; as well as new health student representatives Ashton Lewandowski, Cassandra Papaleo, Shruti Sinkar, and Mary Sun.

Upcoming Virtual Events

Health and Justice Institute Webinar: Re-imaging Community Health and Safety from Bombs to Cops
Tue. Apr. 27, 6:00 - 7:30 pm PDT
The third webinar of the Health and Justice Institute Series discussing how we achieve community health and safety both locally and globally. Please email Rahel Kemal at rkemal@psr-la.org for more information.

Electrification of Buildings: Climate, Health, Justice
Wed. Apr. 28, 7:00 - 8:30 pm PDT
After industry and transportation, buildings are a top emitter of green-house gases. Electrification of buildings is a critical step toward decarbonization, improved health, and health equity. Join this SF Bay PSR event to learn more. Register

Oregon PSR's Greenfield Peace Scholarship 2021 Awards Ceremony
Thu. Apr. 29, 6:30 pm PDT
Please join us for an online ceremony honoring the student winners of Oregon PSR's Greenfield Peace Scholarship, which will premiere live on our YouTube channel. Visit our YouTube channel to view the event premiere on April 29th, and subscribe to our channel to join the online conversation.

PSR/Sacramento Annual High School Scholarship Essay Contest Finals
Sun. May 2, 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm PDT
Hear ten student finalists present essays based on this quote by Ms. Beatrice Fihn: "The story of nuclear weapons will have an ending, and it is up to us what the ending will be. Will it be the end of nuclear weapons or will it be the end of us?" $15,000 in scholarships will be awarded. Judges will be Bob Dodge, MD, Bob Gould, MD, and Ms. Sarah Pattison. Join here

GBPSR Monthly Meeting
Mon. May 3, 7:00 pm EDT
Greater Boston PSR's monthly meeting – open to all. Please contact Anna Baker at abaker@gbpsr.org for call-in information.

APHA Climate for Health Ambassadors Training
Tue. May 11, 12:30 - 4:30 pm EDT
APHA and ecoAmerica are partnering to offer this free, interactive 4-hour training that will cover the links between climate and health, the spectrum of solutions, speaking effectively on the topic, and opportunities to act and advocate. Register

Film Screening: The War Game by Peter Watkins
Wed. May 12, 7:00 - 8:30 pm EDT
Join Massachusetts Peace Action for a virtual screening of the Academy Award-winning documentary The War Game, followed by a Q and A and discussion with PSR's Dr. Ira Helfand. Register

Prohibiting the First Use of Nuclear Weapons
Sat. May 15, 12:30 pm EDT
A coalition of groups has called upon Congress to legislate – and the president to declare – that the United States will neither initiate nor threaten to initiate the first use of Nuclear Weapons. Join this virtual conference co-sponsored by Greater Boston PSR to learn more about this important issue and how you can help push policy makers to support this policy. Register

Health and Radon
Wed. May 19, 6:00 pm EDT
Join PSR-PA to learn more about radon and how it contributes to poor indoor air quality. Presented by Dr. Edward Ketyer. Register

Racial Equity Reading Group
Wed. May 19, 7:00 pm PDT
SF Bay PSR's informal reading and discussion group about issues of structural racism and inequity, particularly as they negatively impact public health and medicine. To join please email tara@sfbaypsr.org. All are welcome (not just health professionals).

WNCPSR Monthly Meeting
Fri. May 21, 12:30 - 2:00 pm EDT
Physicians, health personnel and everyone; all are welcomed at Western North Carolina's meetings held on the third Friday of each month. Click here for call-in info.

The Public Health Threat of Policing and Mass Incarceration
Wed. May 26, 7:00 - 8:30 pm PDT
Join this SF Bay PSR event to learn the public health benefits of directing more funds and efforts toward improving preventative systems, supporting communities, and advancing anti-racism efforts, and away from policing and incarceration. Registration opens May 1.

Plastics in Pennsylvania: Unseen threats & how we solve them
Wed. Jun 16, 6:00 pm PDT
Join this PSR-PA event to learn more about the life cycle of plastics and how you can work towards policy change in your community. You'll leave with resources that can be put to use immediately. Register

Forum: Fund Health Care not Warfare – Pressing Needs for the Public's Health and Pandemic Protection
Sat. Jun. 5, 2:00 - 5:00 pm EDT
Virtual forum organized by Massachusetts Peace Action. Includes panel presentations by PSR Nuclear Weapons Abolition Program staff Allen Hester and Martin Fleck. Register

More events

PSR Actions

Tell Congress today: We need strong climate action!

Stop the Money Pit Missile

Act now for concrete climate protection!

In the news

Fight climate change for justice and health
Robert Bernstein, MD, Santa Fe New Mexican - Apr 22

Inspections lag for hundreds of active oil wells in L.A.
Los Angeles Times - Apr 20
Quotes Martha Dina Argüello of PSR-Los Angeles.

Talking community-led climate justice with the U of M
University of Minnesota Twin Cities - Apr 19
Interview with PSR Board Member Laalitha Surapaneni, MD, MPH.

Taxes and Renewal: Biden's First 100 Days
Robert Dodge, MD, PSR Board Member Common Dreams - Apr 17

MD Essential Workers' Protection Act Passes State Legislature, Safeguarding Food and Farm Workers During Enduring Pandemic
TheBayNet.com - Apr 14
Quotes Chesapeake PSR President Gwen DuBois, MD, MPH.

The fight over Tacoma's liquified-natural gas plant continues. Will permits be upheld?
The News Tribune - Apr 13
Mentions PSR.

Pipeline Spills Over 1,600 Gallons of Oil Near Los Angeles Communities
EcoWatch - Apr 9
Quotes Martha Dina Argüello of PSR-Los Angeles.

Washington State Senate passes pair of landmark climate change bills
My Northwest - Apr 9
Mentions Washington PSR.

Oil Spill at Inglewood Oil Field in Los Angeles County, California Sends Over 1,600 Gallons Flowing Near Communities, Sierra Club Reports
Sierra Sun Times - Apr 9
Quotes Martha Dina Argüello of PSR-Los Angeles.

Your climate and air depend on clean fuels
Northwest Asian Weekly - Apr 8
Cites air pollution data from Washington PSR.

Harvard honors the life of Nobel Peace Prize winner Bernard Lown
Sun Journal - Apr 8
Remembrance of PSR co-founder Dr. Bernard Lown

Pandemic accelerating shift toward electric vehicles
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - Apr 4
Quotes PSR Pennsylvania's Walter Tsou, MD.

Let's get back from the brink
The San Mateo Daily Journal - Apr 1
Mentions PSR.

Dual solar co-ops launch for Phoenix, Scottsdale residents to go solar
Your Valley - Mar 31
Quotes Barbara Warren, MD, of PSR Arizona.

The Oil Well Next Door: California's Silent Health Hazard
YaleEnvironment360 - Mar 31
Features PSR-Los Angeles' work on the harms of oil extraction in the residential neighborhoods of Los Angeles.

Better Public Input Needed on Infrastructure Planning, FERC Says
RTO Insider - Mar 31
Mentions Greater Boston PSR.

Physicians group challenges license extension for Point Beach nuclear plant
Wisconsin State Journal - Mar 27
Coverage of PSR Wisconsin's effort to block a license extension of an aging Wisconsin nuclear power plant.

Biden Pausing Fossil Fuel Leases on Public Lands is a Necessary First Step, but More is Needed
Velma Campbell, MD, MPH, PSR Colorado, Colorado Times Recorder - Mar 3

Report: Pollution From Oil and Gas Operations May Put Some Coloradans at Higher COVID Risk
Colorado Times Recorder - Jan 29
Coverage of PSR's fracking and COVID report.