On April 25th, 2009, about 80 Austin PSR members and supporters gathered at the home of Congressman and Mrs. Lloyd Dogget to hear a legislative update. Congressman Doggett spoke about climate change legislation and the healthcare debate underway in Wahsington. State Representative Donna Howard provided an update of the state legislature as the Session prepared to enter ints final month.
In 1961 a group of university-based physicians concluded, "In the aftermath of a nuclear war, no meaningful medical response would be possible. The only cure is prevention." PSR's aggressive, effective thrust to educate the medical community and the general public to stand against nuclear weapons was acknowledged in 1985 with a Nobel Peace Prize, awarded to PSR as an affiliate of International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War (IPPNW). Austin PSR formed in 2003 to support national PSR initiatives locally. We also focus on health care access, health policy, and environmental policy.
PSR-Austin is hosting a special opening day screening of Countdown to Zero, a new film about the global nuclear threat on Friday, July 30, at 7:40 PM at the Regal Arbor Cinema at Great Hills Trail.
Dr. Elliot Trester, a local family physician, longtime PSR member and Austin PSR board member, will discuss current nuclear disarmament activities and the health impacts of nuclear weapons manufacturing and use, and will lead an audience discussion after the film.
To reserve a free ticket (there is limited seating), go to http://countdowntozeroaustin.eventbrite.com.
Coal's Assault on America's Health - Coal-fired power plants are the leading global warming culprit in the U.S., accounting for more than 30 percent of our nation's carbon dioxide emissions. They also are one of the nation's largest sources of air pollutants that damage cardiovascular and respiratory health.
Read Entire Article »Environmental pollution effects all of us. Particulate matter in our air causes asthma, especially in young children. Nearly 1 in 4 children in Texas have some form of asthma.
More on Coal »Several Austin PSR members participated in Global Warming awareness during release of "The Day After Tomorrow", an early foray (albeit hypothetical) into public education of the impact of global warming.
More on Global Warming »
Energy Security
Texas has always been considered to be the energy capital of the world. Oil was first discovered here, and the majority of the world's oil exploration and production expertise is based here.
More on Energy Security »Pediatrician and PSR member Dr. Karen Lewis discusses the health dangers of new coal plants.
Source: BurntOrangeReport.com (Texas)Video: PowerSmack offers a set of priorities for accelerating use of cheaper and cleaner energy sources.
Source: PowerSmack.comPSR recognizes the historic significance of House passage on June 26, 2009, of the American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACES). For the first time, a branch of Congress has taken responsibility for acting to comprehensively reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Countdown to Zero traces the history of the atomic bomb from its origins to the present state of global affairs: nine nations possess nuclear weapons capabilities with others racing to join them, with the world held in a delicate balance that could be shattered by an act of terrorism, failed diplomacy, or a simple accident.
Join our efforts to clean up dirty coal.
Tell your elected officials to cut funding for new nuclear weapons building capacities and to fund key national priorities: clean energy, universal health care, and restoring our environment.
Current laws are not protecting us from toxic chemical exposures. Tell your congressperson to put health first by ensuring that chemicals are tested for safety before they are allowed on the market.
Pediatric Environmental Health Toolkit
The Toolkit is a combination of easy-to-use reference guides for health providers and user-friendly health education materials on preventing exposures to toxic chemicals and other substances that affect infant and child health. Read more »