August E-News
 

Included in this edition:

  • Reflecting on Hiroshima and Nagasaki: Actions to take, and join us in Bangor
  • Discussion with Senator King on Nuclear Issues
  • Decarbonize Maine: Join us in taking a short survey for the Maine Climate Council
  • Civic Health Month! How you can make a difference
  • You're Invited: Maine Gun Safety Coalition beachside picnic, August 24
 

Reflecting on Hiroshima & Nagasaki: Actions & Gathering

On August 6 and 9, 1945 U.S. atomic bombs decimated two vibrant communities -- Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan -- and killed thousands in an instant and many more in the weeks and months that followed. Seventy nine years later, we honor these victims and communities and renew our commitment to preventing nuclear war and making sure no community ever has to experience what happened to them.

 

If you have any sort of relationship with any of your local elected officials (city councilor, mayor, state Rep or Senator), will you join the effort to get them to speak out via their social media channels or by making a public statement?  This will be especially useful if you live in Congresswoman Chellie Pingree’s district (she’s endorsed Back from the Brink’s 5 policy solutions) or in Bangor, Hallowell, Portland or South Portland where city councils have adopted Back from the Brink resolutions. 

 

Here’s a sample social media post:

What happened 79 years ago to the people of #Hiroshima and #Nagasaki can never happen again, to anyone, anywhere. Nuclear weapons ARE a local issue and my community’s voice matters. It’s time for Washington decision-makers to get serious about preventing #nuclearwar and pursuing a world free of #nuclearweapons @PSRMaine @BackfromBrink 


For more background: Honor Hiroshima and Nagasaki Victims with Action and an excellent op-ed in the Bangor Daily News: US should stop spending billions of dollars on nuclear weapons.

 

Finally, please join us tomorrow, Tuesday, August 6 at 10AM in Peirce Park in Bangor for a Hiroshima Day Gathering. PSR Maine Board Member Peter Millard will be speaking.

See details below. 
 

Discussion with Senator King on Nuclear Issues

Participants from Mainers for Ending Nuclear Dangers met for 40 minutes with Senator King on July 9th, led by PSR Maine and including representatives from the Maine Medical Association, the Maine Public Health Association, Maine Veterans for Peace, Maine Pax Christi and Maine AllCare. 

Senator King engaged with us in conversation about the fundamental immorality of a national security policy based on threatening the destruction of human civilization. He understands the potential catastrophic health consequences of nuclear war and yet still believes that a strong nuclear arsenal is necessary, including “modernizing” all three legs of the nuclear triad. Lani Graham, MD then made a forceful presentation for the need to change the outdated and dangerous Cold War policy of “Sole Presidential Authority” (to have the President alone responsible for deciding whether or not to launch nuclear weapons). Senator King shares this concern and would like to work with us to find ways to raise this issue in Congress and with the administration.  

 

Below are two articles advocating for alternative approaches which are being shared with Senator King and his office.

Nuclear Launch Authority: Too Big a Decision for Just the President

Trump could win back the nuclear codes. Biden should put guardrails on the nuclear arsenal-now.
 

Decarbonize Maine!
PSR Maine has received funding to support the movement to decarbonize buildings (homes and businesses) by encouraging and supporting efforts to remove appliances that burn fossil fuels (such as natural gas or propane) and advocating for policy changes to establish zero-emissions standards for appliances like HVACs and Water Heaters. Burning fossil fuels indoors harms the health of Mainers every single day. Please see our fact sheet here. 
 
The Maine Climate Council has published a draft of the soon-to-be-updated state climate action plan Maine Won’t Wait, which includes proposed policies on decarbonizing buildings. The Council is seeking input from a wide variety of Mainers as it updates the plan. The draft includes new and updated strategies in eight areas, including buildings. 
 
Please join us in taking this short 5 minute survey to let the Maine Climate Council know that Maine should continue to invest in incentives to support making homes more energy efficient, improve state building codes, promote climate-friendly building products, reduce carbon in homes, accelerate decarbonization in industrial processes, and reduce emissions from state buildings. These initiatives will save lives and reduce climate change. 
 

Civic Health Update: How You Can Make a Difference

August is Civic Health Month and PSR Maine is working with National PSR and other partners to encourage members to get active in this year's election. 

 

There are many ways for health professionals to get involved! Below we are highlighting three great ways to take part in get out the vote efforts in the next three months.

 

Vot-ER: Sign up to receive a free badge with a QR code that can be used to register patients and colleagues in the workplace

  • Please refer to workplace rules set forth by your employer to find out if you need approval to wear this badge
  • Badges will be mailed to you in up to three weeks. In the meantime, share this link with prospective voters.

Environmental Voter Project: Get involved by contacting voters who view the environment as their number one priority but don't have a strong history of turning out to vote.

  • You can make calls and write postcards from your own home

Vote Forward: Write letters to voters

  • As a part of Vote Forward’s Social Campaigns, you can write nonpartisan letters to help increase voter turnout in key states from historically underrepresented communities.
 

You're Invited! Maine Gun Safety Coalition Beachside Picnic
The Maine Gun Safety Coalition will be gathering on Saturday, August 24th with friends, colleagues, and legislators to thank you for your advocacy for gun safety, to celebrate our hard-fought successes this past spring, and to share the next steps in the work to end gun violence in Maine. The picnic will be held in the greater Portland area. The exact location will be shared with everyone who RSVPs, which you can do using this link!

WHEN:  Saturday, August 24 at 11:30 am (Rain Date: Sunday, August 25 at 11:30 am)

FACILITIES: There is an accessible picnic shelter at the beach with shaded shelter, open air, picnic tables, bathrooms, a large grill, and plenty of parking.

PICNIC PROVISIONS:  Hamburgers, veggie burgers, and grilled chicken will be provided.
Please bring a side (chips, salads, casseroles, desserts etc.) or (non-alcoholic) drinks to share.
 

Give to PSR Maine

Thank you for your generous support of PSR Maine!

To mail your contribution to us, please send a check to our mailing address:

    PSR Maine, 126 Western Ave #1012, Augusta ME 04330 

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