PSR Monitor

Time for Congress to Re-think Security

Senator Markey and Representative Khanna introduced the Investing in Cures Before Missiles Act, which would divert $1 billion from development of a new intercontinental missile to development of a universal coronavirus vaccine. Brilliant!

PSR to President Biden: "Re-seal the Deal" with Iran

Candidate Joe Biden prioritized re-entering the Iran nuclear deal. But now that he is in office, President Biden, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and their counterparts in Iran have entered into a slow-motion dance, each waiting for the other to lead. In a March 17 Politico interview Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif actually said Iran is "ready to agree to a choreography" to coordinate each side returning to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). This month, Rep. Brown of Maryland spearheaded a letter asking Biden to slow down and make demands first. (Activists from Chesapeake PSR, Peace Action, and CODEPINK protested this outside Brown's district office, pictured). The stakes are too high for these games. Work with PSR to ensure a swift and decisive return to the Iran Deal.

Recordings now available: Back from the Brink / ICAN Virtual Conference

The March 4 virtual policy briefing, Ending Nuclear Weapons Before They End Us, jointly convened by Back from the Brink and the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) saw participation by over 600 people in 28 countries. Weren't able to attend? No worries: recordings of all the virtual briefing presentations and workshops — plus related materials — are now available.

PSR welcomes New EPA Administrator

Michael Regan, new Administrator of the U.S. EPA, will place science and justice at the heart of environmental protection. We look forward to working with him and, under his leadership, a reinvigorated EPA.

Read PSR's statement on his confirmation.

PSR & ANHE Joint Webinar
Fracking air pollution and Covid-19: Possible links?

Wednesday, March 31, 2021 4:00-5:00 pm ET

On behalf of PSR and Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments, PSR is pleased to invite you to a webinar that examines the possible links between air pollution from oil and gas operations and greater susceptibility to Covid-19.

The webinar presents highlights of recent reports on this topic by both ANHE and PSR. Please feel free to invite colleagues, friends and family to attend this webinar.

Upcoming Virtual Events

A Call to Action: Transforming Community-Academic Partnerships to Secure Environmental Justice for All
Tue. Mar. 30, 6:00 - 7:30 pm PDT
Examining the history of contamination in local communities and how citizens, scientists, and health professionals can work together for policy changes. Part of the Mini Med School Series at UCSF sponsored by San Francisco Bay Area PSR. Register

The Iran Nuclear Deal or No Deal
Wed. Mar 31, 2:30 pm EDT
Grassroots organizations from across the country are joining together to present the most recent developments surrounding the JCPOA and what they may mena for the future of Iran and the rest of the Middle East. Register

Fracking air pollution and Covid-19: Possible links?
Wed. Mar. 31, 4:00 - 5:00 pm EDT
Webinar examining the possible links between air pollution from oil and gas operations and greater susceptibility to Covid-19. Hosted jointly by PSR and Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments. Register

GBPSR Monthly Meeting
Mon. Apr. 5, 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.

Renewing a Human Rights Agenda: The Climate Crisis
Wed. Apr. 7, 12:00 pm CDT
A panel of human rights experts discuss the climate crisis, featuring Dr. Maureen McCue, PSR Iowa. Join here

China, the U.S. and the Risk of Nuclear War
Wed. Apr. 7, 7:00 - 8:30 pm EDT
Please join Pioneer Valley PSR for this important conversation featuring a panel of experts. Register

Virtual Film Screening: In the Dark of the Valley
Apr. 7-20
The new documentary In the Dark of the Valley is the first feature film to focus on the Santa Susana Field Laboratory, a former nuclear and rocket-engine testing site near Los Angeles. Featuring Dr. Robert Dodge and Denise Dufflied of PSR-Los Angeles. Available for online screening Apr. 7-20 as part of the Cleveland International Film Festival. Tickets ($10)

Also available through Mar. 30 via the Cinequest Film Festival, tickets $3.99.

Racial Equity Reading Group
Wed. Apr. 14, 7:00 pm PDT
San Francisco Bay PSR has launched an informal reading and discussion group to learn more about issues of racial equity, particularly as they relate to the fields of public health and medicine. April book: Toxic Communities: Environmental Racism, Industrial Pollution, and Residential Mobility, by Dorceta E. Taylor. Learn more

WNCPSR Monthly Meeting
Fri. Apr. 16, 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 information.

Steps to a Clean Energy Economy and Better Health
Tue. Apr. 20, 6:00 pm EDT
Join PSR PA to learn why clean energy is good for your health and the steps you can take towards cleaner energy. Presented by Dr. Walter Tsou. Register

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.

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

PSR Actions

Is Fracking Behind a Cluster of Rare Childhood Cancers?

In the news

Cooking With Gas, Household Air Pollution, and Asthma: Little Recognized Risk for Children [subscription required]
Andee Krasner, MPH, Greater Boston PSR; T. Stephen Jones, MPH, MD; Regina LaRocque, MPH, MD; Journal of Environmental Health - Apr 2021

Why Small Modular Nuclear Reactors Won’t Help Counter the Climate Crisis
Environmental Working Group - Mar 25
Cites Oregon PSR's report on small modular reactors.

What Biden's climate justice pledge on leaking oil wells means
EarthBeat (National Catholic Reporter) - Mar 24
Quotes Martha Argüello of PSR-Los Angeles.

We cannot achieve social justice without environmental and climate justice
Columbus Dispatch - Mar 23
Cites PSR's report on Covid-19 and fracking.

Water is life, except in WV
Charleston Gazette-Mail - Mar 22
Cites PSR's fracking Compendium.

The Late Dr. Bernard Lown Challenged Us to See the Invisible, Do the Impossible
Truthout - Mar 21
Remembrance of PSR co-founder Dr. Bernard Lown

H Jack Geiger: a doctor takes on poverty, racism, and nuclear war [subscription required]
The BMJ - Mar 19
Remembrance of PSR co-founder Dr. H. Jack Geiger.

Why A Federal Order In The Weymouth Compressor Case Has The Natural Gas World Worried
Earthwhile (WBUR) - Mar 19
Cites Greater Boston PSR's opposition to the natural gas compressor station in Weymouth, MA.

Please note these objections to shale industry's fracking response
Erie Times-News - Mar 18
Cites PSR's fracking Compendium.

Green energy is healthier for the environment and for humans
Robert G. Little, MD, PSR-Pennsylvania, Patriot-News - Mar 18

Cascades Park water fountain closed for high lead levels; City waiting on further results
WCTV - Mar 16
Coverage of PSR Florida's work testing lead levels in public fountains.

Bernard Lown obituary [registration required]
The Times - Mar 16
Obituary for PSR co-founder Dr. Bernard Lown.

Climate is on the agenda this year. A carbon tax should be too.
Kitsap Sun - Mar 3
Mentions Washington PSR.

When the Kids Started Getting Sick
The New Yorker - Mar 2
Quotes Tammy Murphy, the medical-advocacy director at PSR-Pennsylvania.

A Call to Action: Renewing the Call for Public Health Advocacy Against Nuclear Weapons
Scott Alan Baker, Terrence Clark, Bert Crain, Mary Olson, Lewis Patrie, Leslie Poplawski and Dot Sulock, Western North Carolina PSR, North Carolina Medical Journal - Mar 2021

Trump's disasters with environment
Alan Peterson, MD, PSR Member, LNP - Feb 28