Dear Friends of PSR Philadelphia / Pennsylvania,
We wish you a meaningful holiday season and hope the new year brings peace, healing and strength to all.
Thank you for your support!

December 24, 2018
24 Years of Inaction- COP24 to The UNFCCC: Real Success or Confusion by Jargon?

The 24th Conference of Parties (COP24) to United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC): The UN gathering of global representatives to operationalize the Paris Climate Agreement, took place in Katowice, Poland this year.

PSR Philadelphia Board President, Dr. Pouné Saberi, attended the conference and shares her take on the outcome.

Multiple major reports were released prior to the conference. In 2017, the Fijian government requested the the Intergovernmental Panel of Climate Change (IPCC) to report on the most updated climate science. IPCC released the report just in time for COP24 to base the language of the rulebook on science. The report concluded that we have 12 years to cut our emissions to keep the temperature rise 1.5C below industrial levels or risk the worst consequences of global warming. World Health Organization (WHO) also answered the call from COP23 to develop a report on health and climate change to be delivered at COP24. Recognition of IPCC report was used to halt the negotiation process by four countries including the United States. Health as an outcome of climate change was ignored by the negotiators and did not appear anywhere in the rulebook. Yet, two extra days were spent wordsmithing and adding to the pile of jargon inaccessible and intimidating to the large majority of people.
On the US side, the release of the 4th National Climate Assessment was buried in the post holiday distractions. The report examines the effect on climate change on 16 topics and assesses how US can reduce risks through adaptation and mitigation. By 2030 climate change risks will cut US economic growth by 10% if we do not reverse the current reliance on fossil fuel extraction and infrastructure.
The Lancet also released "The 2018 report of the Lancet Countdown on health and climate change: shaping the health of nations for centuries to come". This report tracks 41 indicators across five domains: climate change impacts, exposures, and vulnerability; adaptation, planning, and resilience for health; mitigation actions and health co-benefits; finance and economics; and public and political engagement.
At PSR Philadelphia, it is our mission to address the greatest threats to public health. It is now glaringly evident that climate change is one of the greatest threats our generation will face! See below for how PSR Phila is tackling this issue and defending our local environment and health!
PSR Philadelphia / PA Events
#1: From Poland to Pennsylvania- How to Bridge the Disconnect: Reflections on The Climate Change Rulebook and What Does It Mean for Public Health
Event Date
Lunchtime Presentation - Friday January 11, 2018, 12:00-2:00 PM
Location- Friends Center, 1501 Cherry St, Philadelphia, PA 19102 Lucretia Mott room or via live Webinar
Free
Speaker - Pouné Saberi, MD, MPH
Join PSR Phila/PA to learn about COP24 in Katowice, Poland from Dr. Pouné Saberi. She will reflect on her firsthand experience attending the international talks and the implications of climate change on public health. (light lunch will be provided)
#2: Uphold Pennsylvania's Environmental Rights Amendment & Act on Climate!
Event Date
Panel Discussion - Sunday, Jan 27, 2018, 10:00 AM
Rally - Monday, Jan 28, 2018
Location: Pennsylvania's Capitol Building, 501 N 3rd St, Harrisburg, PA 17120

Pennsylvania’s constitution contains an environmental rights amendment, or a Green Amendment—Article 1, Section 27—protecting every Pennsylvanian’s right to pure water, clean air and a healthy environment for both present and future generations.

In honor of this protective amendment, on 1/27, PSR Phila, a member of The Better Path Coalition, is participating in a panel discussion and rally in Harrisburg. For more information on this event and the many ways you can get involved, click here.
Updates on PSR
Philadelphia's City Council Environmental Committee Hearing 
On November 29 and December 12, the Philadelphia City Council held two public hearings regarding the environmental issues that have negatively impacted frontline communities. Among many local leaders who testified at these hearings, two from PSR joined as well. Dr. Walter Tsou discussed the health impacts of fossil fuels and the problems of the city's air permitting process, while Tammy Murphy, M.A., LL.M addressed the harmful effects of the proposed SEPTA power plant in Nicetown.

Click here to view a full recording of this event! Dr. Tsou's testimony begins at 1:15 and Tammy's at 1:37.
The Many Ways to Give to PSR Phila / PA
PSR Phila/PA appreciates your support and generosity. If this is your first year to make a donation or if you have been a long time supporter, we can help you decide the best way to be a part of our work. YOU make it possible for us to keep the voice of public health and environmental health viable.

  1. Monthly Donations with a Credit Card or ACH from Checking please use our secure online system. Our 2018 year end goal is for 100 people to make a small but meaningful monthly donation to sustain our work. Even $10 a month is awesome. (You can cancel anytime by emailing info@psrphila.org) Click here For monthly online donations.
  2. One-time Donation - Please use our online form, or mail us a check. Payable to: PSR Phila Mail to: PSR Phila PO BOX 59540 Phila, PA 19102
  3. Donor Advised Fund* - Please recommend PSR PHILAto your fund for the donation. We received the highest Platinum Seal with GuideStar in 2018, and in 2019 we will celebrate our 40th year of community service. (There are many PSR Chapters in the U.S. as well as PSR National, so please be sure to specify PSR Philadelphia, because we are all separate financial entities.
  4. Charitable IRA Rollover* - Any time through the year you can donate your required minimum distribution. There are tax advantages for some individuals.
  5. Bequest with Planned Giving*.
*Please contact your financial advisor for details.
  • Volunteer? - email: info@psrphila.org
Current News
'Traffic nightmare' over as Delaware Memorial Bridge reopens, highly flammable gas leak contained: A toxic ethylene oxide leak from a chemical plant near the base of the Delaware Memorial Bridge forced all lanes to shut down on Sunday of Thanksgiving weekend. Ethylene oxide is not only extremely flammable, but also a known carcinogen. Click here more information about ethylene oxide and here to read more about this event.
REPORT: First 100 Residents in the Health Effects Registry: The Southwest Pennsylvania Environmental Health Project recently established a National Shale Gas and Oil Health Effects Registry for people living within 5 miles of hydraulic fracturing and other shale-related facilities (like compressor stations, processing plants, and injection wells). The first 100 participants of the Registry come from 11 states! Click here for a summary of the findings of this registry from the first 100 participants. Click here to join.
Publis hed: December 21, 2018