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November E-News |
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Included in this edition:
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Calling all Health Professionals and Public Health Advocates! Join us THIS MONDAY, November 10! PSR Maine's Annual Virtual Gathering |
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Come join a statewide event to celebrate recent victories, connect, and galvanize our shared commitment to protecting health through advocacy and action.
Event Highlights Health Hero Award Presentation Updates from the Front Lines
Join the conversation! Bring your ideas, your energy, and your hope. Together we’ll celebrate recent wins, reflect on lessons learned, and envision the powerful work ahead. |
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PSR Maine Presents: Talking with Patients About Fossil Fuels, Health, and Home Choices |
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In collaboration with the Hanley Center for Health Leadership & Education and co-sponsored by the Alliance of Maine Health Professionals for Climate Action, PSR Maine presents our free webinar series this fall.
Join us for session 2: Talking with Patients About Fossil Fuels, Health, and Home Choices. Wednesday, November 19, 12-1pm. Register HERE.
Our presenter for this session is Colin T Phillips, MD, Interventional Cardiology, MaineHealth, and Board Member, Physicians for Social Responsibility, Maine.
This practical session will equip clinicians with communication strategies for discussing the health risks of fossil fuels with patients. It will include guidance on integrating environmental exposure history into clinical care, framing health-based recommendations, and discussing safer, electrified alternatives. CME is available. |
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You can also register for our final session! See below for details.
Session 3: Health Professionals Leading the Way: How the Healthcare Sector Can Protect Staff and Patients Wednesday, December 3, 12-1pm. Register HERE. Presenters: Michael G Arsnow, MBA, MHA, Sustainability Manager, MaineHealth, and Katherine T Liu, MD, Internal Medicine, MaineHealth, and a Steering Committee Member of the Alliance of Maine Health Professionals for Climate Action. |
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Reflecting on New Netflix Film "A House of Dynamite" |
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The new film, A House of Dynamite, directed by Kathryn Bigelow was released on Netflix on October 24. The thriller reached number one on streaming charts on the platform, being the most popular movie of the weekend. The film follows the final 18 minutes before a nuclear weapon detonates over a major U.S. city, a portrayal of how one mistake or miscommunication could change everything.
The film does not show the nuclear explosion or the aftermath; however, it is clear that the policy of nuclear deterrence did not prevent the attack and that, for the victims, a medical response would not be possible. PSR Maine Board Member, Peter Wilk had his LTE published in the Washington Post, which can be viewed below. |
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Thinking and talking about nuclear war is never easy, but our partners at Back from the Brink have put together discussion guides and other materials before and after viewing the film, which can be found here. |
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A Chilling Announcement: Trump Calls for Nuclear Testing |
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Last week, President Trump issued a vague social media post, littered with factual inaccuracies, saying he has “instructed the Department of War to start testing our Nuclear Weapons [...].”
We can take this moment to raise our voices and get our elected leaders to take action on advancing nuclear disarmament and enacting common-sense policies to halt the nuclear arms race and prevent nuclear war.
Congresswoman Pingree is a co-sponsor of H. Res. 317 with proposals to “lead the world back from the brink of nuclear war” including creating checks and balances on the sole Presidential authority to use nuclear weapons. The Senate version is S. Res. 323. PSR Maine urges Congressman Golden, Senator Collins, and Senator King to join Rep. Pingree in endorsing these resolutions and work to have them passed.
TAKE ACTION: Call Congressman Golden (202-225-6306), Senator Collins (202-224-2523), and Senator King (202-224-5344). Use our partner, Back from the Brink's talking points to make an effective case for why they should cosponsor H. Res. 317 or S. Res. 323. |
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New Report: The Hidden Health Costs of Fossil Fuel Pollution |
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Fossil fuels are harming our health today, not just the climate tomorrow. A new report, “The Hidden Health Costs of Fossil Fuel Pollution,” developed by Physicians for Social Responsibility and leading health experts, brings together extensive scientific evidence showing how fossil fuels harm all bodily systems at every stage of life.
This is the most comprehensive look yet at the health impacts of coal, oil, and methane gas, from extraction and transport to burning for power, heat, and transportation. We must transition rapidly to clean, non-polluting energy and hold polluting industries accountable for the damage they cause to human health. PSR Maine Board Member Daniel Oppenheim, MD co-authored the endocrine section. You can read the full report here. |
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PFAS Contamination Prompts New " Do Not Eat" Advisory in Waldo County |
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The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife has issued a new do-not-eat advisory for deer and wild turkeys in parts of Waldo County after testing found high levels of PFAS “forever chemicals” linked to serious health risks. The contamination is likely connected to former sludge-spreading sites.
PSR Maine continues to call for stronger PFAS testing, cleanup, and transparent public health communication to protect the health of everyone living, visiting, and working in our state. |
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Tell EPA: We Need Greenhouse Gas Reporting |
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EPA’s Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program is an important source of data collection used to cut pollution and minimize wasted energy. However, EPA is now trying to end the program which could let polluters do their dirty work unchecked. Submit your comment in opposition today! |
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You're Invited: Maine Gun Safety Coalition 25th Annual Buzz Fitzgerald Awards |
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The Maine Gun Safety Coalition’s annual Fitzgerald Awards event to celebrate its gun safety heroes is coming up on Thursday, November 20. The coalition is honoring Representative Samuel Zager and Arthur Barnard for their advocacy work on gun safety legislation. The Keynote via a live Zoom is an interview with James Comey, former Director of the FBI and passionate gun safety advocate. Tickets can be purchased here. |
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Give to PSR Maine |
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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 Or point your camera at this QR code and you’ll be taken directly to our secure donor page: |
