Climate Change

Health Impacts

Climate change is one of the biggest threats to human and planetary health today.  Climate-related health effects are growing in incidence and severity. Learn more about them here.

EPA Clean Power Plan

In 2014 the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its proposed Clean Power Plan to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions from power plants 30% by 2030, especially from coal-fired plants, which are a leading source of carbon emissions. Here’s a map of the EPA’s proposed greenhouse gas emission reduction targets for each state. It calls for New York to cut its emissions 44% by 2030. Under the Clean Power Plan each state will create a State Implementation Plan by June 2016, laying out how it can meet its carbon reduction targets.

In a PSR webinar, Jonathan Levy, ScD, of Boston University School of Public Health, presented the study he coauthored quantifying state-by-state health benefits from implementing the EPA’s Clean Power Plan.

Representing Health Concerns at the People's Climate March

PSR-NY members were part of the health professional contingent of the People’s Climate March, held September 21st, 2014 in New York City, joining other healthcare professionals and health advocates to represent health and mental health concerns.
 

"On Sept. 20, 2014, PSR-NY members joined other healthcare professionals and health advocates to represent health and mental health concerns at the People’s Climate March in New York City. I walked as a New Yorker, a doctor and a proud member of Physicians for Social Responsibility.

It was awesome and powerful to be part of an event with more than 400,000 people participating. Together we formed the largest environmental march in history."

-Shannon Gearhart, MD, MPH

Latest Climate News

Electrification Teach-In

On November 16, 2023, board member Dr. Barton Schoenfeld spoke at a hybrid conference in Albany regarding the adverse health impacts of indoor air pollution from gas stoves.

Read More about Electrification Teach-In

Advocates push for strong climate action plan

News 10 ABC article quoting Dr. Kathleen Nolan, PSR New York President.

Read More about Advocates push for strong climate action plan