Included in this edition:
- EVENT: Food Security, Sustainability, and Health. Online, Feb. 26
- Access to our past webinars!
- Healthy Air Win from the EPA
- EVENT: The Global Nuclear Threat and Nuclear Landscapes in the United States. Online, March 6
- 2024 Doomsday Clock Announcement
- Other Opportunities You May Have Missed
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Texas PSR Presents: Food Security, Sustainability, and Health
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Monday, February 26, 2024, 7pm CT
Free CME Credit Available
Join our comprehensive workshop on sustainable diets where you'll gain a thorough understanding of the concept's impact on both human health and the environment. Explore the health benefits, including the potential to combat chronic diseases like obesity and heart disease, while learning to identify sustainable food sources such as organic and plant-based options. Ethical considerations surrounding food choices, cultural variations, and regional nuances will be discussed, alongside an analysis of dietary guidelines and patient recommendations. Understand food labeling and certification systems, and grasp the tools needed to measure and track progress on personal health and environmental impact. With strategies to address challenges and promote sustainable practices, participants will emerge equipped to advocate for positive change within their communities and healthcare settings.
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This webinar series will be held monthly through June. Next month's webinar is: Climate Change’s Impacts on Children’s Health, March 25, 7pm CT. Speaker: Sophia Gauthier, MD.
Sign up link for March coming soon!
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Missed one of our previous webinars? No worries! You can access them by clicking below!
Watch July's webinar, "Beat the Heat: How to help protect your patients from heat illness in the Texas summer" with featured speaker: Ronda Brewer McCarthy, MD, MPH, FACOEM
Watch November's webinar, "How Climate Change Affects Cancer" with featured speaker: Lakshmi Balasubramania, MD
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Healthy Air Win! New Ruling from EPA on Particle Pollution
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Last week’s final rule from the Environmental Protection Agency on particle pollution is a step forward for public health. While it’s not as strong as what the science shows is necessary, the final rule will save lives. EPA estimates that in 2032, the first year all communities are projected to attain the new standard, the nation will see 4,500 fewer premature deaths, 290,000 fewer lost work days, 800,000 fewer cases of asthma symptoms and 2,000 emergency department visits.
The rule also includes updates to the Air Quality Index: it will now take less pollution to go from green to yellow, from red to purple and from purple to maroon. This better aligns the AQI with what the science says is healthy to breathe, although not as much as if they’d updated the 24-hour PM standards too. Read more about the ruling in the American Lung Association's statement here.
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Event: The Global Nuclear Threat and Nuclear Landscapes in the United States
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Climate Change and Human Health Echo: Global Nuclear and Environmental Threats Critical to Climate Change and Human Health
Wednesdays, March 6 - May 15
Bi-Weekly, 1PM-2PM CT
Register HERE
The first event, on March 6, will be lead by Robert M. Gould, MD, President, San Francisco Bay Physicians for Social Responsibility. Given the decades-long global threats of nuclear weapons and power, environmental health exposures from chemical solvents and superfund sites, and resulting environmental injustice, these bi-weekly sessions will be a primer for health professionals, public health officers, first responders, and community-based educators interested in learning from nationally and internationally known experts. See below for details on each part of this series, and please note that you may register for as many as you'd like all at once at the registration link.
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2024 Doomsday Clock Remains at 90 Seconds to Midnight
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On January 23, the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists announced that the iconic "Doomsday Clock" would remain this year at 90 seconds to midnight, the closest the clock has ever been to midnight since its introduction in 1947. On hand for the announcement, special presenter Bill Nye said, "We could be facing catastrophe unless we better manage the technologies we’ve created. It’s time to act." Bulletin spokespersons cited "an unprecedented level of danger" and urged us to "take this statement as a stark warning and respond urgently, as if today were the most dangerous moment in modern history."
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Are you interested in learning more, or getting involved in local actions to prevent the growing threat that nuclear weapons pose to our health and environment? Fill out this quick form!
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Other Opportunities You May Have Missed
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Planet Texas 2050 Symposium
William C. Powers Student Activity Center
Austin, TX February 27 – 29, 2024
The annual symposium brings together university faculty, researchers, staff, students, practitioners, artists, and community members interested in applied interdisciplinary research on climate resilience, adaptation, and environmental justice. Register here!
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Follow Us on Social Media
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Keep up with us in the New Year by following us on social media!
We will share updates, news, and events that pop up between our monthly newsletters. Keep in touch on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.
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Thank you for your generous support of Texas PSR!
To mail your contribution to us, please send a check to our new mailing address: Texas PSR, 3571 Far West Blvd. #3428 Austin, TX 78731
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As a registered non-profit under section 501(c)(3) of the IRS code, all donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
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