PSR Monitor

First stop on the #DemandAccess tour

On November 8, PSR’s #DemandAccess campaign presented at the American Public Health Association’s national conference. Aude Bougnaon, a steering committee member of the campaign, represented #DemandAccess in a roundtable hosted by the APHA Peace Caucus on the intersections of peace, militarism and public health.

PSR Advises Biden: Rewrite the Nuclear Posture Review

The Biden administration's long-awaited Nuclear Posture Review (NPR), released October 27, is disappointing, to say the least. While it does pledge nominal support for nuclear arms control, pays lip service to "reducing the role of nuclear weapons in U.S. strategy," and acknowledges an eventual goal of "a world without nuclear weapons," it actually asks Americans to continue pouring astronomical resources, attention, time, and energy into "modernizing" and supporting these doomsday devices. This disregards the increasing numbers of Americans who are calling to redirect these resources to urgent needs like food insecurity, access to health care, and the climate change crisis — to name just a few. 

PFAS: Toxic Chemicals To Understand & Avoid

PFAS chemicals seem to be everywhere these days: at the top of Mount Everest, in umbilical cord blood, in breast milk, and in the news. In 2022, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced new health advisories for PFAS in drinking water. This month, PSR’s My Green Doctor explains why PFAS are important and how your patients can avoid them.

The PSR 2022 Virtual Gala Is a Success!

On November 15, PSR held our virtual annual gala, featuring guest speaker Anna Ikeda of Soka Gakkai International and a special Q and A with Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha, Professor of Public Health at Michigan State University of Human Medicine, moderated by PSR Board Member Dr. Natasha DeJarnett. The event featured PSR chapter leaders from around the country discussing their local work on climate change, environmental health, and nuclear weapons abolition; and also included a musical performance by the recording artist Yuno. The recording can be watched on our YouTube page. Thank you to all our attendees, sponsors, and speakers!

Policy Coordinator, Environment & Health Program

PSR's Environment and Health (E&H) program amplifies the voice of health professionals to advocate for health-protective measures that strengthen state and federal policy related to climate, energy, and health.

Membership and Development Manager

The Membership and Development Manager leads PSR's fundraising activities, including member recruitment, engagement, and retention. They help plan fundraising events, including our annual fundraising gala, and create and implement outreach strategies to engage with existing members and to expand PSR's membership base. The Membership and Development Manager also oversees PSR's direct mail fundraising campaigns.

Upcoming Events

Back from the Brink Virtual Open House
Thu. Dec. 1, 8:00 pm - 9:15 pm EST
This 75 minute Open House will include time for break-out sessions with different focuses depending on your interest and whether you are attending as an individual or a representative of an endorsing or interested organization. Learn more & register

From the Freeze to Back from the Brink
Sun. Dec. 4, 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm EST
The Drake, 44 N. Pleasant St., Amherst, MA (virtual option available)
Join Pioneer Valley PSR to celebrate the Back from the Brink campaign’s accomplishments, learn about the campaign’s plans for 2023 and how you can get involved, and help honor four Western Massachusetts leaders who have played a major role in advancing the campaign and the cause of nuclear disarmament. Learn more & register

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

Shifting Paradigms: A Grassroots Response to Industry and Climate
Fri. Dec. 9, Noon - 4:30 pm EST
This half-day, virtual conference from PSR-PA will focus on organizational and individual roles in preserving the health of fenceline and frontline communities while fighting climate change and the industries that harm them. Register

Mental Health Impacts of Climate Change Training with Lise Van Susteren, MD
Tue. Dec. 13, 2:00 pm ET
Lise is a general and forensic psychiatrist based in Washington, DC, and an expert on the physical and psychological effects of climate change. She will discuss the mental health impacts of climate change, ethical behavior in the midst of the climate crisis, and key actions we all can take right now as healthcare practitioners. Register

PSR Actions

Deadline Extension: Submit a Public Comment Supporting Environmental Justice and Electrification

In the news

Which Way the Wind offered an excellent series
Times-Standard - Nov 16
Mentions San Francisco Bay PSR

Joint Letter Calling on Congress to Reevaluate US-Saudi Arabia Relations
Human Rights Watch - Nov 15
Letter signed by PSR Pennsylvania

Xcel rate increase is contrary to energy goals
Sharon Montes, MD, PSR Colorado, Daily Camera - Nov 14

Zero-emission vehicles: Protecting planet, improving health
Max Savishinsky, Washington PSR Executive Director, Seattle Times - Nov 11

Gas stoves are hazardous to your health, Multnomah County report says
The Oregonian - Nov 10
Quotes Melanie Plaut, MD, Oregon PSR volunteer

HVAC Industry Fired Up Over Fossil Fuels
ACHR News - Nov 10
Mentions PSR

Corvallis, OR signs resolution to divest from weapon manufacturers
Code Pink - Nov 10
Mentions Oregon PSR

Oregon Environmental Quality Commission Denies Proposal to Adopt Mega-Dairy Air Pollution Rules
Food and Water Watch - Nov 9
Mentions Oregon PSR

Fracking, abortion, and the challenge of raising a family in southwestern Pennsylvania
Grist - Nov 7
Quotes Laura Dagley, RN, PSR Pennsylvania

Lawsuit by Washington County homeowner says fracking caused "forever chemicals" to contaminate his drinking water
Pittsburgh's Action News 4 - Nov 7
Quotes Ned Ketyer, MD, PSR Pennsylvania President

CO Oil & Gas Commission Sets Date for Public Hearing on Cumulative Environmental Impacts
Colorado Times Recorder - Nov 7
Mentions PSR Colorado

Report: The proposed Peabody power plant will exacerbate existing health inequalities
WBUR - Nov 4
Quotes Brita Lundberg, MD, Greater Boston PSR President

NW Natural scraps plans for blended hydrogen and natural gas project in Eugene
Oregon Capital Chronicle - Nov 2
Mentions Oregon PSR

Stress on pregnant people and exposure to pollution impacts babies’ size and health, USC study shows
USC Annenberg Media - Nov 2
Quotes Paula Torrado Plazas, manager of the health and environment program, PSR-Los Angeles

State Building Code Council may allow gas or electricity to power required heat pumps
Union-Bulletin - Nov 1
Mentions Washington PSR

In Florida, Queer Youth Battle Bigotry and Climate Change
Atmos - Oct 31
Quotes Lakey Love, PSR Florida chapter manager

Tenney all wrong on fracking in NY
The Citizen - Oct 30
Cites PSR's PFAS report

7 arrested at ‘people’s decommissioning’ of oil tank farm in Southwest Philly
WHYY - Oct 27
Mentions PSR Pennsylvania

New report finds dangerous chemicals in Ohio oil and gas wells [Subscription required]
Columbus Dispatch - Oct 27
Cites PSR's fracking chemicals in Ohio report

New $1.8 million fund moves power and resources to frontline communities to decarbonize buildings
The Kresge Foundation - Oct 26
Mentions PSR-Los Angeles

Lookback: Hundreds protest nuclear testing at Nevada Test Site
Las Vegas Review-Journal - Oct 25
Article on 1987 protest co-organized by PSR

House Progressives Float Diplomatic Path Toward Ending War in Ukraine, Get Annihilated, Quickly "Clarify"
The Intercept - Oct 25
Mentions PSR

Hype aside, gas is anything but clean
Kathleen Nolan, MD, PSR New York President, Times Union - Oct 22

Scientists Warn Nuclear War Would Make the World Colder, Darker and Hungrier
Truthout - Oct 21
Quotes Ira Helfand, MD, PSR Board Member

Trillion-Dollar Pension Fund TIAA Faces Climate-Washing Complaint Brought by Hundreds of Professors and Scientists
Center for International Environmental Law - Oct 19
Quotes Pouné Saberi, MD, MPH, PSR Pennsylvania

Rehearsal for 'Armageddon' Underway as NATO and Russia Hold Nuclear Exercises
Alaska Native News - Oct 18
Quotes PSR Board Member Robert Dodge, MD