Cradle to Grave:
The Reverberating Health Hazards of Oil and Gas Industry
PSR PA is excited to share a virtual, half-day conference on a very important issue. This event will be held on December 10, 2021 from 12:00 - 4:30 p.m. Please sign up to join us and register here.
Cradle to Grave: The Reverberating Health Hazards of Oil and Gas Industry, will take focus from the viewpoint of the worker's often uninformed toxic exposure to PFAS chemicals and radioactivity, into exposure to their family, and throughout their community, and beyond.
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PSR PA Lobby Meeting Report
from Daniel Wolk, MD (PSR PA Advisory Council)
On 9/17/21 I was privileged to participate in a virtual lobby meeting with a member of Senator Bob Casey’s staff, Ms. Reecha Patel, regarding legislation to address air pollution and the climate crisis. All my fellow meeting delegates are from the Philadelphia area, including two religious leaders, five labor leaders, and one community advocate. Our overall message: addressing the climate crisis through the Reconciliation Bill currently in the Senate Finance Committee (of which the Senator is a senior member) will reduce pollution, create jobs, including union jobs, and bolster community infrastructure against sea level rise and severe weather events. Putting a price on carbon, for example through a carbon fee-and-dividend plan will speed up the transition to clean energy and its benefits, while providing desperately needed income for workers who are still not earning a living wage.
To illustrate, I brought up the heavy toll that fossil-fueled air pollution takes due to its health impacts. I cited a study of how the rate of premature birth and low -birthweight dropped with air pollution levels in a population living within 2 km of a toll plaza, with the implementation of EZPAss: 6-9%, depending on distance from the toll plaza, with people of color benefitting the most. This study connecting cleaner air with improvement in maternal-fetal health provides a preview of the health benefits of prompt action on climate pollution.
Ms. Patel noted that Senator Casey is very busy trying to move climate action through Congress as part of the infrastructure reconciliation bill. She expressed appreciation for our stories and talking points. We expressed hope that Senator Casey would find these useful in his efforts to bring his colleagues on board
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Talking with Children About Climate Change
by Steph Lee MD, MPH, FAAP (PSR PA Board Member)
Your children may have questions about the changing climate. Many are hearing about or experiencing climate-change-fueled disasters such as wildfires and severe storms.
Climate change affects everyone, but it impacts kids the most. Children are especially vulnerable to environmental health harms since they are still growing and have higher exposure to air, food, and water based on weight.
While the climate crisis can feel like an overwhelming topic, there are healthy ways to talk with kids about it. We can communicate in a way that is honest, hopeful, developmentally appropriate, and action oriented. By helping kids understand the issue of climate change and how it affects their health and futures, we empower them to make a difference.
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Clean Air and Asthma with Steph Lee
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When: Monday, October 18th at 6:00 PM EST
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.
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To encourage more community engagement in all of our virtual worlds, PSR PA hosts a monthly webinar! Join us each month as we explore topics related to environmental health, violence prevention, and climate solutions, with a special focus on PA.
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Whisper Valley: A Zero Energy Capable Community
November 9th at 6 PM
Cradle to the Grave Conference
December 10th at 12 PM
PAST EVENTS:
A Century of Housing Discrimination and its Legacy of Health Impacts Today
Fractured: The body burden of living near fracking
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The Peace Garden Gala
When: Wednesday, October 13th at 6 PM
Where: West Shore Country Club, Camp Hill, PA
“Will There Ever Be Peace in the Middle East?”
It's time to gather once again in support of the mission in service of health and peace, at both the global and community level. Joyce Davis, a long-time supporter of PSR PA and the Peace Garden, is the featured speaker this year. Currently serving as Opinion Editor for PennLive and. The Patriot-News, Ms. Davis is known for her expertise and international experience on many subjects, but especially on the Middle East.
The evening’s proceeds will help support the Harrisburg Peace Garden Association. Its mission is to support the garden founded in 1990 by what was then the Harrisburg-Hershey chapter of Physicians for Social Responsibility. The garden, which stretches for nearly half a mile on the banks of the scenic Susquehanna River, is maintained by the Association in concert with the City of Harrisburg and in partnership with the Rotary Club of Harrisburg.
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A New Journal is Born
The Journal of Climate Change and Health is a worldwide scientific peer reviewed medical journal with a goal of publishing high quality scientific works related to changing patterns of disease and the impacts of Climate Change on Individuals and Health systems. For all authors who wish to publish Open Access, and submit their article by November 29, 2021 the cost is FREE! Go here to learn more about the journal and submission guidelines.
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