PSR Monitor

New PSR Report: Humanitarian Impacts of the First Year of the Russian War in Ukraine

Last Friday, February 24th, was the one year anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. This past year has resulted in catastrophic consequences on civilians in Ukraine, as well as those who fled or were forcibly displaced. Many of these consequences will have lasting impacts for Ukrainians, and the country as a whole as the war wages on. Meanwhile, there has been no news of effective or meaningful negotiations between the U.S., Ukraine and Russia to bring about a peaceful end to this war.

In commemoration of the lives lost and destroyed throughout this war so far, PSR put together a report compiling the humanitarian impacts that the war has had this past year. This report helps to illustrate the grim, traumatic reality that millions of Ukrainians and other people fleeing this senseless war have had to face since the Russian invasion.

United Nations Calls for Russia to Withdraw Its Forces from Ukraine

On February 23, the United Nations General Assembly voted on its 6th resolution since the Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. According to article 5 of this resolution, the United Nations "Reiterates its demand that the Russian Federation immediately, completely and unconditionally withdraw all of its military forces from the territory of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders, and calls for a cessation of hostilities." It was overwhelmingly approved by a vote of 141 UN members for, 7 against, and 32 abstentions. The seven "no" votes were Belarus, North Korea, Eritrea, Mali, Nicaragua, Russia and Syria. Among the 32 abstentions were China, India and Pakistan.

PSR Supports the People Over Pentagon Act

On February 22, Representatives Barbara Lee (CA) and Mark Pocan (WI) re-introduced the People Over Pentagon Act (H.R. 1134) in the House of Representatives. PSR is a proud supporter of this legislation and firmly believes that a $100 billion reduction in military spending is the minimum we must re-allocate if we are to transform our society from a war economy to a sustainable economy of community care.

U.S. Missile Launch at Vandenberg Worsens Global Nuclear Tensions

The United States should employ common sense, and discontinue all unnecessary military exercises that escalate the possibility of a nuclear conflict.

EPA Reaffirms Vital Regulation of Mercury from Power Plants

PSR applauds the US Environmental Protection Agency’s reaffirmation that it is "appropriate and necessary" to regulate mercury and hazardous air pollutants from power plants. The announcement, which reinstates an earlier EPA position reversed by the Trump administration, followed legal action by PSR and three other health organizations.

Fracking with "Forever Chemicals": Analysis Finds Oil and Gas Companies May Be Exposing Texans and Groundwater to Highly Toxic Chemicals

Previously unpublicized information unearthed by Physicians for Social Responsibility (PSR) shows that since at least 2013, oil and gas companies have used more than 21 tons (43,000 pounds) of a class of extremely toxic and persistent chemicals known as PFAS in hydraulic fracturing of oil and gas wells in Texas, according to a report released this month by PSR. 

Gas Stove Controversy Heats Up

The gas stoves culture war heated up as Senators Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Manchin (D-WV) introduced legislation into Congress to bar the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) from something it isn’t planning to do. 

The senators, both from fossil fuel-producing states, cosponsored a bill that would bar the CPSC from using federal funding to ban new or existing gas stoves.

W. Taylor Carneiro-Johnson to Become PSR Interim Executive Director on March 25, 2023

We are pleased to announce that W. Taylor Carneiro-Johnson will become Interim Executive Director of Physicians for Social Responsibility in Washington, DC, on March 25, 2023.

Taylor has served as PSR’s Director of Operations since 2014. We are grateful for his steadfast and equity-focused leadership. Our Board of Directors knows that he will provide our staff, organization, and PSR's nationwide chapter network with the expertise and continuity that they deserve.

Upcoming Events

How Visible Are the Consequences of Hanford Plutonium Production?
Fri. Mar. 3, 10:30 am - 11:30 am PST
Corvallis Museum, Benton County Historical Society, 411 SW 2nd St, Corvallis, OR
Oregon PSR members Dr. Linda Richards & Hanford Downwinder Patricia Hoover discuss the OSU National Science Foundation Downwinders Grant Project, & the struggle to make nuclear weapons consequences visible in the Northwest. Register

Greater Boston PSR Monthly Meeting
Mon. Mar. 6, 7:00 pm EST
Greater Boston PSR’s monthly meeting – open to all. Please contact Anna Linakis at abaker@gbpsr.org for Zoom information

Induction Cooking Workshop
Fri. Mar. 10, 10:00 am - 1:00 pm EST
Chatham University Eden Hall Campus, 6035 Ridge Rd, Gibsonia, PA
PSR-PA is inviting healthcare professionals to learn about DEP's new Cooking in Healthy Electrified Commercial Kitchens (CHECK) rebate program so they can be spokespeople for building electrification. Register

Reception to Celebrate Oregon PSR Executive Director Kelly Campbell
Fri. Mar. 10, 5:00 - 7:30 pm PST
EcoTrust Billy Franklin Jr. Conference Room, 721 NW 9th Ave, Portland, OR
Oregon PSR invites you to a celebratory event held in honor of departing executive director Kelly Campbell. Register

Atomic Bamboozle: The False Promise of a Nuclear Renaissance
Sun. Mar. 12, 3:00 - 5:00 pm PDT
Cinema 21, 616 NW 21st Ave, Portland, OR
Documentary screening on the Trojan Nuclear Power plant in Oregon, followed by speaker panel moderated by Oregon PSR member Dr. Patricia Kullberg. Register

Inequality Kills Us All: Book Talk by Dr. Stephen Bezruchka
Wed. Mar. 15, 6:00 - 7:30 pm PDT
Washington PSR Office, 2524 16th Ave S # 300, Seattle, WA
Join Washington PSR to hear board member Dr. Stephen Bezruchka speak about his book and his compelling research on the relationship between inequality and health. Register

Stop Dirty Banks: Join Third Act Maine on March 21
Tue. Mar. 21, 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm EDT
Meet at Monument Square in Portland, ME, near the offices of Bank of America and Chase Bank
Rally to deliver a strong message to the banks funding climate destruction: if you don't move money out of fossil fuels, we will move our money out of your banks. Register

Induction Cooking Workshop
Fri. Apr. 21, 10:00 am - 1:00 pm EDT
RE Farm Café at Windswept, 1000 Fillmore Rd, State College, PA
PSR-PA is inviting healthcare professionals to learn about DEP’s new Cooking in Healthy Electrified Commercial Kitchens (CHECK) rebate program so they can be spokespeople for building electrification. Register

Cooking With Gas – Health Harms from Gas Stoves
Tue. Mar. 14, 12:00 pm EDT
Join Alliance of Nurses for Health Environments and National PSR to learn about the dangerous air pollutants produced by gas stoves, what they do to the human body, and what you can do to reduce your and your family's risk of exposure. CEU/CME credit available. Register

IPPNW World Congress
Travellers Beach Hotel & Club resort, Mombasa, Kenya (virtual options)
April 26 - 30
The 23rd World Congress will focus on the intersections of disarmament, the climate crisis and health, and will be preceded by a five-day student bike tour from Nairobi to Mombasa. Learn more & register.

More events

PSR Actions

Ask your U.S. Representative to co-sponsor the People Over Pentagon Act

In the news

The Chagossians and Full Spectrum Justice
Jasmine Owens, Associate Director, PSR Nuclear Weapons Abolition Program, Inkstick Media - Feb 22

Nuclear Treaty Putin Suspended Was Important But Inadequate, Expert Says
Truthout - Feb 22
Quotes PSR Past President Ira Helfand, MD

'My kids are being poisoned': How aviators escaped America's war on lead
Politico - Feb 20
Mentions PSR

Napalm, Birthed in Harvard's Basement
The Harvard Crimson - Feb 19
Quotes PSR Past President Ira Helfand, MD

This drag show in Philly is about climate change, and warm weather spoiled its opening night
WHYY - Feb 17
Mentions PSR Pennsylvania

Environmental groups urge state DEP to halt operations at Shell cracker plant
WTAE - Feb 17
Quotes PSR Pennsylvania President Ned Ketyer, MD

Push to ban gas stoves reignites debate in Oregon
KOIN - Feb 17
Quotes Oregon PSR's Melanie Plaut, MD

Nonprofit helps protect Tucson homeowners in solar purchases
Arizona Daily Star - Feb 17
Mentions Arizona PSR

Indian Point Owner Plans to Dump Radioactive Water into Hudson River
The Larchmont Loop - Feb 17
Quotes PSR New York's Kathy Nolan, MD, MSL

The other earthquake
Daily Hampshire Gazette - Feb 16
Op-ed mentioning PSR

An Ode to the Next Generation of Nuclear Activists
Inkstick Media - Feb 16
Mentions PSR's Jasmine Owens

The gas stove controversy
Waco Tribune-Herald - Feb 14
Mentions PSR

Don't let oil industry skate on leaking tanks' costs
Everett Herald - Feb 11
Mentions Washington PSR

Toxic Chemicals Used in Fracking Leaves Texans' Health at Risk
Public Citizen - Feb 10
Coverage of PSR's fracking chemicals in Texas report

Washington Considers Mandating Electric School Buses by 2035
Government Technology - Feb 10
Quotes Washington PSR's Jill Denny, MD

NW Natural pulls from Big Tobacco's playbook
Oregon Capital Chronicle - Feb 9
Mentions Oregon PSR

Discussing the Birds and Bees Protection Act
WXXI News - Feb 9
Radio interview with PSR New York's Kathleen Nolan, MD, MSL

LA City Council Moves Forward with Controversial Green Hydrogen Plan at Scattergood Generating Station
Santa Monica Mirror - Feb 9
Quotes Alex Jasset of PSR-Los Angeles

Residents allowed back home near Ohio train derailment after air declared safe
Allegheny Front - Feb 8
Quotes PSR Pennsylvania President Ned Ketyer, MD

Doomsday Clock moves closer to midnight
Maureen McCue, MD, PSR Iowa Board Chair, Iowa City Press-Citizen - Feb 4

In Oregon's Prisons, Terminally Ill People Are Left with Little Recourse
Portland Mercury - Feb 1
Quotes Oregon PSR

Despite New Leadership, Portland Officials Decline to Reconsider Zenith Energy Deal
Portland Mercury - Jan 30
Quotes Oregon PSR's Melanie Plaut, MD

Nuclear weapons need to be reduced and eventually eliminated
Scott Allan Baker, MD, President of Western North Carolina PSR, Asheville Citizen-Times - Jan 29

What haunts me — and should haunt all of NY — about neonic pesticides
PSR New York President Kathleen Nolan, MD, MSL, The Journal News - Jan 19