Tell President Obama to cancel the Vogtle Loan Guarantee! We don’t want or need new nuclear reactors and we don’t think that taxpayers should be on the hook to support a mature industry.
Executive Director Peter Wilk, MD urged lawmakers to protect the health of all Americans by preserving regulations that reduce mercury and other pollutants in the air. Speaking at a September 21 press conference with the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, Dr. Wilk related the impacts of air pollution on the cardiovascular system, lungs and brain, and called on the Senate to reject regressive proposals such as the TRAIN Act and other legislation which would severely undermine public health protections.
Read Dr. Wilk's testimony »
Eighteen chapter leaders gathered in Chicago last September for a dynamic two days of networking, strategizing and learning. Joined by national staff and meeting under the banner “Collaborating for a Stronger PSR,” the leaders focused on improving their recruitment of health professionals, building membership and tapping the talents of others in the network. The group welcomed several new faces, including two executive directors.
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A new bill under consideration by Congress would severely weaken the Clean Air Act. The so-called "TRAIN Act" would not only delay action on cleaning the air; it could also block permanently two vital Clean Air rules – one on mercury and air toxics, the other on airborne pollutants that cross state lines. If enacted into law, the Act is expected to result in an estimated 34,000 premature deaths every year. Those deaths would be avoided if the rules were implemented as proposed.
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Many feel that we need nuclear power to get away from fossil fuels and others think that there is a better way. September 14, 2011 Eric Epstein, Chairman of Three Mile Alert presented "Dark Side of Nuclear Power" answered questions at our Chapter meeting at the Polyclinic Cafeteria.
Coal and oil companies continue to pound us in the media stating that fossil fuels must be increasingly used and give very little support to the clean alternative sources. They ignore the true costs to our environment and health. In June, Dr. Jim Jones penned a letter to the editor discussing the hazards and expenses of their use.
Aileen Mioko Smith led a Japanese delegation to Capitol Hill on Monday, September 19 to draw attention to the devastating impact of the nuclear disaster on families, children and livelihoods in Japan. Of particular concern is the lack of radiation monitoring by the Japanese government. The representatives discussed hurdles facing families trying to evacuate from contaminated areas and the impact on farmers. PSR and Beyond Nuclear sponsored a briefing for Senators and their staff.
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Six months after the Fukushima nuclear disaster started in Japan, there are reports of another nuclear accident, this one in southern France. An explosion in the furnace of the Marcoule nuclear site has killed one worker, and injured at least four others. PSR raised concerns in a recent news conference about the inadequacy of the U.S. response to Fukushima. This latest accident shows once again the need for the U.S. to closely examine such accidents and to use these findings to inform policy decisions.
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At a news conference today, three leading U.S. experts voiced concerns regarding the ongoing nuclear crisis in Japan. PSR’s President-Elect Dr. Andrew Kanter warned that the dangers associated with radiation exposure to the people in Japan’s Fukushima Prefecture are being minimized and that “exposing non-consenting people, especially children, to these increased health risks is medically unacceptable.” These experts also cautioned that the U.S. response, thus far, has been inadequate to prevent a similar nuclear catastrophe from happening in the U.S. and urged faster action to address the danger.
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President Obama recently ordered EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson to withdraw the EPA’s proposed national ambient air quality standard for ground-level ozone. This order, which ignores the scientific advice of the EPA’s own scientists, will allow ozone concentrations to continue unabated at levels that contribute to thousands of premature deaths and heart attacks each year. Read Dr. Alan Lockwood’s letter in the September 8th Washington Post.
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President Obama will decide soon whether to grant or deny a permit for constructing a pipeline across the United States to transport Canadian tar sands oil to the Gulf Coast for export. The greenhouse gas emissions produced would place our climate and health at risk. PSR urges its members to call the White House and ask President Obama to deny the permit for the Keystone pipeline.
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Ann Suellentrop, MSRN and Alicia Dressman of Kansas City PSR, joining with other prominent KC activist groups like Peace Planters, have challenged the very core of the nuclear weapons complex in the United States - the facilities that make the bombs. After educating the public and reaching out to many KC residents, they gathered more than enough signatures to add a ballot measure that would allow citizens to decide on whether to create a green jobs facility to replace the construction of a nuclear weapons facility.
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Farmworkers, the backbone of the US agricultural system, are among the poorest and least-protected class of workers in the nation. Morever, they are disproportionately exposed to potentially toxic industrial chemicals in the form of agricultural pesticides. PSR's latest Environmental Health Policy Institute explores the health implications for farmworkers and their families of our nation's heavy reliance on synthetic pesticides.
At least twelve nuclear reactors reported unusual events, the lowest of four emergency situations, in the wake of the August 23 earthquake in Virginia, the most serious being two reactors at the North Anna Power Station which lost offsite power for a period and declared an alert. "This is a stark reminder of the vulnerability of nuclear reactors and the urgent need for our country to look for alternatives energy sources that are safe," said PSR's Executive Director Peter Wilk, M.D. "Earthquakes can strike anywhere."
Artist Modei Akeya's design for PSR's 50th Anniversary features beautiful images that evoke peace and a better world. In talking about his work, Modei says that he is "easily inspired by passionate effort for justice" and hopes design work can "help motivate and spark in us all our collective will to elevate the proverbial good." Modei’s design and the other winning entries are featured at the PSR Store.
See the other winning entries »
Lela Kometiani is a graphic designer and illustrator. She received her BFA in Painting from the Nickoladze School of Arts, and her MA in Graphic Design from the Academy of Fine Arts in Georgia. She has received awards in graphic design and book illustration, including a Writer’s Digest Award. She teaches art at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond. Lela was recently awarded second place in PSR’s 50th Anniversary Art Contest.
See the other winning entries »
The anniversaries of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki took place August 6 and 9, respectively. Over 50 events took place around the country with many coordinated by PSR local activists. Check out the photos at 1More4Zero.org! Also, read the recent blog post by Dr. Harry Rosenberg about the speech he didn't give at a Nagasaki Commemoration event. This is a moment of rare opportunity to move us down the path to zero and we hope you will join us at 1 More 4 Zero.
Don Aquillo describes himself as “an avid fan of pop culture and film, a seasoned martial arts instructor and a proud and vigilant advocate of both the visual and performing arts.” A pre-med student and natural advocate for the sciences and social responsibility, he eventually made the switch to pursue a passion in graphic design and illustration. Don was recently awarded first place in PSR’s 50th Anniversary Art Contest for his graphic design capturing the spirit of PSR’s global commitment to a healthier world.
After more than a decade of collaborating together, Philadelphia Physicians for Social Responsibility (PSR) and Women’s Health & Environmental Network (WHEN) are coming together to form one organization with a greater capacity to safeguard the environment in the region and statewide and to promote nonviolence. “It is a natural outgrowth of a long partnership between WHEN and Philadelphia PSR,” acknowledged Kate Etherington, Executive Director of PSR. The merger will align Philadelphia PSR’s programs with national PSR organization as well as other chapters. Learn more »
Our California chapters were represented by Dr. Harry Wang at the California Energy Commission’s workshop on license renewal evaluations for the Diablo Canyon and the San Onofre nuclear reactors. Citizens voiced their concern about the need for seismic studies, the economic liability issues in the event of a nuclear accident, radioactive waste issues, and the need for a larger emergency planning zone (50 miles). Read Dr. Wang’s comments (pdf) »
Should health professionals speak out publicly on health policy? By all means. Physicians, nurses and other health professionals speak with an authoritative voice in debates that affect public health, and have strong credibility. PSR’s latest Environmental Health Policy Institute presents interviews with respected, senior health professionals who advocate on issues of health policy. They will tell you why they advocate, how they do it, and what their experiences have been.
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