PSR Monitor

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update

From the Executive Director:

From all of us here at PSR, we hope this message finds you and your loved ones healthy and safe. I know that many of you reading this message are doctors, nurses, and healthcare providers, and that many of you are on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic, working tirelessly to fight the spread of the disease, and perhaps putting your own health at risk to protect others. Thank you for all that you do.

Read more and find resources on COVID-19 at psr.org/covid.

Victory in Congress: House and Senate Vote Yes in War Powers Resolution Regarding Iran

Thank you, PSR members, for taking action to prevent war with Iran. PSR members and other citizens around the country voiced their opposition to a war with Iran, and Congress responded, passing legislation in both the House and Senate on a War Powers Resolution to require President Trump to seek congressional approval for further military action against Iran.

PSR Climate Ambassadors making their voices heard

Here are some of the latest media hits from our PSR Climate Ambassadors. Through their op-eds they are successfully getting their voices heard on climate, clean energy and health issues across the country.

"Climate change has far-reaching effect on housing, health" by Dr. Bashyam Iyengar (FL)
"Fix U.S. tax code to address climate change and our health" by Dr. Amanda Millstein (CA)
"TEP power generation plans involve unsafe pollutants" by Dr. Eve Shapiro (AZ)

Learn more about our PSR Climate Ambassadors program and consider joining this special advocacy effort. If you have any questions contact Antonia Herzog.

Environmental Sustainability Strengthens Offices & Clinics

If your practice wants to save money, attract the best colleagues, improve your reputation, AND have healthier patients, then becoming environmentally sustainable may be your next step. This month, PSR's My Green Doctor explains why in a short essay, "Environmental Sustainability: A Core Value Essential for Today's Healthcare Practice" (reading time: 4 minutes).

My Green Doctor is a free donor and membership benefit from Physicians for Social Responsibility that is saving money as offices adopt wise environmental practices and share these ideas with their patients. Hundreds of offices use My Green Doctor. It adds just five minutes to each regular office staff meeting. My Green Doctor explains what to say and do at each meeting so there is nothing for the office manager to study or prepare. This is how health professionals prepare their communities for the health threats of climate change. Ask your office manager to register here.

PSR Actions

Congress Must Not Undermine Our Future in Pandemic Stimulus Package

Take Action: Stop a New Nuclear Arms Race

Tell Your Senators: Support The Clean Economy Act!

In the news

Coronavirus shutdowns are lowering greenhouse gas emissions; history shows they'll roar back
The Los Angeles Times - Mar 19
Quotes Martha Dina Argüello, PSR Los Angeles

Pennsylvania should not bolster fracking and petrochemicals with latest bill
Barbara Brandom, MD, PSR climate ambassador, Philadelphia PSR, The Philadelphia Inquirer - Mar 18

Farewell Dr Mubashir Hasan: A Nobel Peace Laureate Remembers His Old Friend
The Wire India - Mar 18
References Bernard Lown, MD, as a founder of PSR

A regional nuclear conflict would compromise global food security
Proceedings of the National Academies of Sciences - Mar 16
Features major study on nuclear winter and famine by Alan Robock, Brian Toon and others

Nuclear weapons: 'If you know the entire planet is at risk...'
Arkansas Catholic - Mar 15
Features Ira Helfand, MD, PSR board member

All hands needed for clean energy
Claire Richards, PhD, PSR climate ambassador, Washington PSR, The Columbian - Mar 14

Session Wrap: WA Lawmakers Leave Climate-Action Bills Behind
Public News Service - Mar 13
Features Sarah Cornett, Washington PSR

Mayor, City Leaders Call On IL Lawmakers To Rein In Reckless Gas Utility Spending
Latin Business Today - Mar 13
References Chicago PSR

Bella Romero Benzene Levels Worse Than Reported, Analysis Claims
Westword - Mar 11
Quotes Barbara Donachy, MPH, PSR Colorado

Colorado bill would regulate toxins in communities, especially low-income areas
ColoradoPolitics.com - Mar 10
Quotes Barbara Donachy, MPH, PSR Colorado

New Report Reveals Colorado's Bella Romero Academy Exposed to Unsafe Levels of Benzene from Fracking
Common Dreams - Mar 10
Quotes Barbara Donachy, MPH, PSR Colorado

I'm a midwife on Madison's north side, and the F-35s will harm the families I care for
Tone Madison - Mar 10
References PSR Wisconsin

'We Have to Get a Climate President in Office': Jane Fonda Says Bernie Sanders Is the Only Climate Candidate
Common Dreams - Mar 7
Quotes Saba Malik, MD, PSR Los Angeles

Listen to the scientists
Bill Donovan, MD, PSR member, in response to Amanda Millstein, MD's op-ed, Monterey Herald - Mar 7

Support for worldwide fracking ban
The Ecologist - Mar 5
Quotes Ned Ketyer, MD, Philadelphia PSR

Poorer areas more likely to feel climate change's effects
Alan Lockwood, MD, FAAN, FANA, PSR board member, The Columbus Dispatch - Mar 3

Disarmament advocate sounds nuclear alarm
Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette - Mar 3
Quotes Ira Helfand, MD, PSR board member

Our world can end by accident
The Daily Hampshire Gazette - Mar 2
References PSR

Nuclear Weapons Were Too Crazy Even for Hitler
Matt Bivens, MD, PSR board member, Greater Boston PSR, Medium - Mar 1

Fix U.S. tax code to address climate change and our health
Amanda Millstein, MD, San Francisco Bay Area PSR, East Bay Times - Feb 28

The Latest on Clean Energy
Alan Peterson, MD, Philadelphia PSR, LNP/Lancaster Online - Feb 24

We Need to Treat Nuclear War Like the Emergency It Is
Olivia Alperstein, Media Relations Manager, PSR, Common Dreams - Feb 21

Congressional Democrats Join the Debate Over Plastics' Booming Future
Inside Climate News - Feb 21
Quotes Ned Ketyer, MD, Philadelphia PSR

LNG pollutants
Valley Morning Star - Feb 21
References PSR's "Health Risks of Liquefied Natural Gas" report

Physicians critique National Grid official's stance
Drs. Regina LaRocque, Philip Landrigan, Brita Lundberg, Caren Solomon, Jim Recht, and Susan Racine, Greater Boston PSR, CommonWealth Magazine - Feb 20

Lawmakers fail to act on findings of lead-tainted water in Florida schools
WFTX-TV - Feb 20
Features Lynn Ringenberg, MD, Florida PSR

Over 570 Groups Endorse Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez's Fracking Ban Act
Common Dreams - Feb 20
References PSR and PSR's research

Climate change has far-reaching effect on housing, health
Bashyam Iyengar, MD, MPH, PSR Florida, The Orlando Sentinel - Feb 19

We can aid vulnerable Washingtonians among increasing threat of wildfires
Real Change News - Feb 19
References Washington PSR

An Arms Race That No One Can Win
Olivia Alperstein, Media Relations Manager, PSR, The Progressive - Feb 17

On climate change, consider high temps at South Pole
Bashyam Iyengar, MD, MPH, PSR Florida, Florida Times Union - Feb 14