Petroleum 238: A seven-year investigation of oilfield radioactivity
In this webinar, co-hosted by the Collaborative on Health and the Environment, the New School at Commonweal and SEHN, science journalist Justin Nobel speaks about his forthcoming (late April 2024) book, Petroleum-238: Big Oil’s Dangerous Secret and the Grassroots Fight to Stop It. The book addresses the many pathways of radioactive exposures created by the oil and gas industry. Justin is joined by James Brugh, a tribal member of Fort Berthold in western North Dakota, and Dr. Larysa Dyrszka, a retired pediatrician and co-founder of Concerned Health Professionals of New York. Background and a link to the webinar's Q&A can be found here.
Carbon Pipelines Risks, Threats, Unanswered Questions
Carbon & hydrogen pipelines, supercharged by federal subsidies, threaten communities from the Gulf Coast to California. As California takes steps toward carbon capture & carbon pipelines, what do decision-makers need to know about health & environmental risks? What do you need to know about the risks and the grassroots pushback?
This virtual symposium examines how life has changed for the people of East Palestine and nearby communities six months following the catastrophic train derailment; reviews the available science, what we still don’t know, and what is needed to bridge the gap; examines policy options to prevent future disasters, ensures that polluters are held responsible, and protects communities and workers; and develops plans for coordinated action. Participants then break into subgroups to identify action steps and priorities to support impacted communities and reduce the likelihood of similar events in the future. Watch Panel 1 here and watch Panel 3 here.
Science, Storytelling and a New War on Cancer / Kristina Marusic, Nsedu Obot Witherspoon, Sandra Steingraber and Host Kristin Schafer
If we can stop cancer before it begins, why don’t we?
This question motivated a deep-dive inquiry into cancer prevention for award-winning journalist Kristina Marusic. Her exploration uncovered an often invisible community of creative, talented individuals who dedicate their careers to identifying and challenging environmental drivers of cancer. In this CHE Café conversation, Kristina shared highlights from her book, A New War on Cancer: The Unlikely Heroes Revolutionizing Prevention. She was joined by Children’s Environmental Health Network Executive Director Nsedu Obot Witherspoon and renowned biologist, author, activist, and cancer survivor, Dr. Sandra Steingraber. The group explored the power of storytelling as a tool for communicating complex scientific issues, and reaching people in ways that motivate action for change.
The derailment of the Norfolk Southern train in East Palestine, OH on February 3, 2023, and the subsequent burning of chemicals contained in the train cars, released large quantities of hazardous chemicals into the environment. News about this health and environmental disaster is developing daily. Affected communities face questions about both short- and long-term health and environmental effects of the chemicals generated by this disaster. Ted Schettler, MD, MPH reviewed the toxicity and environmental fate of the chemicals spilled, some of which were subsequently intentionally and unintentionally burned, creating conditions for creation of — and community exposure to — novel toxic compounds. He summarized initial and subsequent government and community responses and ongoing challenges as the full extent of this event and its consequences are still unfolding.
Dr. Margaret Kripke and Dr. Polly Hoppin have a conversation with Dr. Ted Schettler, science director with the Science and Environmental Health Network. CHE director Kristin Schafer facilitated the conversation. Join this team of longtime experts to learn more about the current state of the science on environmental contributions to cancer and opportunities for prevention. Hear how this science is influencing mainstream cancer-focused efforts like the National Cancer Institute’s “moon shot” effort to address cancer, as well as nurturing emerging leaders and supporting the work of community-based organizations and programs.
Hear issue experts address the risks and concerns associated with the three hazardous carbon pipelines proposed for Iowa. The Carbon Pipeline Resistance Coalition includes Sierra Club Iowa Chapter, Food and Water Watch, Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement, Great Plains Action Society and Science and Environmental Health Network.
This webinar discusses public health impacts of the nationwide carbon capture build out already underway. The impacts are numerous across the CCS supply chain including chemical inputs, energy to capture CO2, transporting CO2 via pipeline and the utilization of CO2. Featuring Sandra Steingraber, Senior Scientist at SEHN, and Ted Schettler, MD MPH Science Director SEHN
Sandra Steingraber, senior scientist at the Science and Environmental Health Network, discusses the perils of carbon capture and storage as a solution for preventing runaway climate change at the July 30, 2021 meeting of the Tompkins County Climate Protection Initiative (www.tccpi.org). Peter Bardaglio, TCCPI coordinator and executive director of the Ithaca 2030 District, introduces her.
Executive Director of the Science & Environmental Health Network, Carolyn Raffensperger, led this webinar about Public Health and CO2 Pipelines. This webinar was a part of the VOICES Coalition (Victory Over Infrackstructure Clean Energy). VOICES Coalition is a campaign led by Berks Gas Truth and the Delaware Riverkeeper Network aimed at stopping the expansion and development of fossil fuel pipelines and infrastructure.
Dr. Sandra Steingraber addresses the accumulative impact of CO2 exposure to human health and the environment. Sandra Steingraber, PhD is aSenior Scientist wit the Science & Environmental Health Network. Dr. Steingraber's presentation was part of a CURE webinar called, "What we all should know about Carbon Pipelines – a look at the impacts on humans and the environment.”
Panel presentation + discussion to explore Carbon Capture & Sequestration – The promise, health hazards, and costs. Featuring Ted Schettler, MD MPH Science Director SEHN; Sandra Steingraber, PHD Biologist & Sr Scientist SEHN; Maureen McCue, MD PHD Board Chair PSR-IA; Martha Dina Argüello; Executive Director, PSR-LA; Arjun Makhijani PhD; President, IEER.
Sandra Steingraber, Mark Jacobson, Ted Schettler, and Martha Dina Arguello lay out the facts about carbon capture and storage Sept. 17, 2021, in a webinar sponsored by the Science & Environmental Health Network (SEHN) and moderated by Carolyn Raffensperger.