PSR Monitor

Congress has made it clear that it prioritizes weapons over the American people

On July 22, the Senate Armed Services Committee voted to add $25 billion to the already monstrous $743 billion military budget proposed by President Biden. Then, on September 1, the House Armed Services Committee voted to add $24 billion. Of the total amount, around $40.4 billion will be spent on nuclear weapons. Despite efforts from PSR, allied organizations, and more progressive members of Congress like Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY) (pictured) to reduce the ballooning military budget, the increase was adopted in the House version of the NDAA. If that isn't egregious enough, Congress earlier cut $30 billion that was meant to prevent future pandemics. Make no mistake: Congress is telling us that it cares more about funding more weapons than it does about public health and saving American lives.

Over 300 local elected officials urge Biden & Congress to reduce nuclear threats

After months of grassroots organizing, the Back From the Brink campaign delivered—on September 23—a letter signed by over 300 local, county and state officials representing 41 states, to President Biden and Congress urging them to take bold action to eliminate the nuclear weapons threat.

IPPNW affiliates raise adverse health and political consequences of AUKUS nuclear submarine deal

On September 21, the affiliates of International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War in the UK (Medact), Australia (Medical Association for Prevention of War) and the United States (Physicians for Social Responsibility) issued a joint statement expressing strong opposition to the "AUKUS" plan to supply nuclear-powered attack submarines to Australia. The statement highlighted the adverse health and political consequences of AUKUS and urged the countries involved to turn their attention to working towards a world free from nuclear weapons.

Thank you, Nuclear Weapons Abolition Interns!

This summer, the Nuclear Weapons Abolition Program benefited from an infusion of young energy, perspective, brainpower and imagination. Nuclear Weapons Abolition Program summer interns Kathleen Caldwell and Racheal Khan had to work remotely because of Covid, but they made the most of their internships! Check out what they worked on here.

A call for governments to cut military emissions

PSR has joined a group of national and international organizations in signing onto a call for national governments around the world to take into account the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions coming from their military forces.

PSR Testimony on Toxic Mercury Pollution

On September 8th, 2021, Barbara Gottlieb, Environment and Health Program director, represented Physicians for Social Responsibility in front of the United States Office of Management and Budget (OMB).

PSR Virtual Gala

Thu. Nov. 18, 6:30 pm Eastern

The theme for this year's event is Meeting The Moment, which underscores our understanding of the critical tipping point this time in our world represents.

To buy a ticket or become a sponsor of this year's gala, visit PSR.org/Gala for details or contact Cerece Rennie Murphy (cmurphy@psr.org)

Upcoming Events

Eliminating the Existential Threat of Nuclear Weapons
Fri. Sep. 30 at 11:00 am EDT
Virtual event discussing the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, sponsored by International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War (IPPNW, PSR's international affiliate), and featuring panelists from International Red Cross, Rotary International, and United Nations. Register

Racial Equity Reading Group: Maladies of Empire
Thu. Sep. 30 at 7:45 pm PDT
Join San Francisco Bay PSR for a special discussion of Maladies of Empire: How Colonialism, Slavery, and War Transformed Medicine by Jim Downs. To join please email tara@sfbaypsr.org.

Nuclear Weapons: A Public Health Issue
Mon. Oct. 4 at Noon EDT
Greater Boston PSR and the Massachusetts Medical Society co-sponsor this one hour virtual forum, moderated by Dr. Jennifer Leaning from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and featuring speakers from across the country. CME and risk management credit are available. Learn more & register

GBPSR Monthly Meeting
Mon. Oct. 4, 7:00 pm EDT
Greater Boston PSR's monthly meeting – open to all. Please contact Anna Baker at abaker@gbpsr.org for Zoom information.

Health & Homelessness: Advocating for Equitable Policy Together
Tue. Oct. 5, 5:30 pm PDT
Washington PSR hosts a panel of leaders and community members for a special virtual event where we will discuss why housing is a health issue and how Washington health professionals and fellow activists can advance equitable policy solutions together. Register

Are Nuclear Weapons Obsolete? A Conversation with Nicole Perlroth about cyber security and nuclear weapons and energy
Wed. Oct.13, 6:00 pm PDT
New York Times cybersecurity reporter and author of the recent book, This is How They Tell Me the World Ends, Nicole Perlroth will join SF Bay PSR Board President Dr. Robert Gould and Vice President Dr. Tova Fuller for a conversation about cyber security and threats to our nuclear arsenals and energy facilities. Register

PSR Pennsylvania Webinar: Clean Air and Asthma
Mon. Oct. 18 at 6:00 pm EDT
Ambient air pollution is harmful to children - but to what degree? We review the latest evidence on indoor and outdoor air pollution's effects on children's health, starting as early as during a mother's pregnancy. We'll also discuss individual and policy level strategies to incorporate and advocate for in your own communities. Register

Symposium: Climate Change and Health – Implications for Clinical Practice
Fri. Oct. 22, 7:00 am - 5:00 pm EDT
Byrd Polar and Climate Research Center, Ohio State,Columbus, OH (Virtual Option Available)
Lectures and workshops by experts on the increasing evidence of climate change's impacts on health, with a focus on solutions that individual providers and the entire healthcare system can implement in their daily lives. Featuring PSR's Alan Lockwood, MD. Register

PSR 2021 Virtual Gala
Thu. Nov. 18, 6:00 - 7:30 EST
Join us as we celebrate PSR's accomplishments and look ahead to the challenges of a new year. Register

Oregon PSR's 40th Anniversary Celebration & Fundraiser
Thu. Nov. 18, 6:30 - 7:30 pm PST
Join Oregon PSR online in celebrating our 40th anniversary, where we will premier a new video highlighting some of our work over the last four decades, sharing stories and images from many of the longtime members and leaders who have made our 40 years of work possible. Register

More events

PSR Actions

The BIG vote on climate change

Tell Congress: Cut the gigantic military budget

In the news

Humanity's Call to Eliminate Nuclear Weapons
Robert Dodge, MD, PSR Board Member, Common Dreams - Sep 27

Birds and Bees Protection Act Public Hearing Sparks Debate
NRDC Press Release - Sep 20
Mentions PSR

LA County Will Shut Down Miles of Urban Oil Fields
CityWatch LA - Sep 20
Quotes PSR-Los Angeles Executive Director Martha Dina Arguëllo

LA County moves to ban oil and gas drilling
Grist - Sep 17
Quotes PSR-Los Angeles Executive Director Martha Dina Arguëllo

Rosen Co-Sponsors Bill to Prevent Illness and Death Caused By Extreme Heat
Sen. Jacky Rosen Press Release - Sep 17
Mentions PSR

85 Groups Urge Congress to Boost U.S International Climate Finance to Support Resilience, Clean Energy, Emissions Cuts and Forest Protection
NRDC Press Release - Sep 15
Mentions PSR

Groups Urge Biden Administration to Plan for Extreme Heat in US Border Policies, Abandon Deterrence Model
Human Rights Watch - Sep 15
Mentions PSR Arizona

Lawmakers urge Biden to reduce role of nuclear weapons
Homeland Preparedness News - Sep 14
Mentions PSR

Tampa Activists Rally To Urge End To Fossil Fuel Subsidies
Patch - Sep 14
Mentions PSR Florida

Tampa Climate and Youth Activists Rally at Rep. Castor’s Office to End Fossil Fuel Subsidies
Food and Water Watch - Sep 13
Mentions PSR Florida

Biden Nuclear Posture Review Must Examine Ballistic Missile Defense
Mark Muhich, PSR Committee to Abolish Nuclear Weapons member, CounterPunch - Sep 10

Jayapal Leads House Lawmakers in Urging Biden to Reduce the Role of Nuclear Weapons
Rep. Pramila Jayapal Press Release - Sep 10
Mentions PSR

Reducing Indoor Air Pollution as Wildfires, Ozone Send Kids, Others Inside
Public News Service - Sep 7
Quotes PSR's Barbara Gottlieb

Experts: Indoor Air Quality is Key as Wildfire Smoke Drives Many Indoors
Public News Service - Sep 2

Legislation filed to crack down on fake vaccination cards
Spectrum News 13 - Sep 1
Quotes PSR Florida's Howard Kessler, MD

The Surprising Places PFAS Are Being Found
Water & Wastes Digest - Sep 1
Mentions PSR's fracking chemicals report

Over Two Decades, U.S.'s Global War on Terror Has Taken Nearly 1 Million Lives and Cost $8 Trillion
The Intercept - Sep 1
Mentions PSR's Body Count report

Thirty years after the Cold War ended, we still have too many nukes
The Hill - Aug 31
Mentions PSR

Valley activists, residents head to Sacramento to demand cleanup of contaminated Santa Susana Field Lab
Los Angeles Daily News - Aug 30

State officials call on climate change advocates at Wilkes-Barre event
Eyewitness News WBRE WYOU - Aug 30
Coverage of PSR Pennsylvania event

Corvallis Honors Victims of Nuclear Harm, Footage Available
Corvallis Advocate - Aug 28
Mentions Oregon PSR

Hundreds of Groups Sign Letter Opposing Nuclear Subsidies
Public News Service - Aug 26
Mentions PSR

Moving away from weapons of mass destruction, toward world health
Lani Graham, MD, MPH, PSR Maine, Portland Press Herald - Aug 8

Nuclear war cannot be won and must never be fought
Constance W. Jordan, NP, and Douglas Dransfield, MD, PSR Maine Portland Press Herald - Aug 6