Welcome to Our September Newsletter!

Dear Climate Health Now Community,

Welcome to our September newsletter- which also lands on CHN's 3rd anniversary!  What a whirlwind time it's been -- the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act federally and setbacks from oil and gas drilling in California (SB-1137), the heat wave, wildfires, threat of landslides just in California, as well as the climate events happening around the world - all making our work feel all the more urgent.

Last week we presented our final strategy and structure update, concluding our engagement with Building for Mission -- and we're excited to dig in and get to work! We are thrilled to introduce our Transitional Leadership Team - Shuinn Chang, Brenda Nuyen, and Nneoma Ojiaku - you can read more about them below! 

Nearly 50 CHN members have already registered for our climate health media training on Thursday 9/29 (5-6:30p) - and it's still not too late to do so! No experience or training required -- come learn some basics about how to talk to the media about climate, health, and equity.

For anyone joining today's Nor Cal Symposium on Climate, Health, and Equity, we hope you'll join us from 5-6 for CHN's Happy Hour - and it's not too late to register!

We look forward to seeing you at our October Monthly Meeting -- if you haven't already, you can register for that here. 

In solidarity,

Amanda Millstein & Ashley McClure

CHN Co-Founders and Co-Directors
 
CHN: FINAL Strategy and Structure Update

On September 14th we shared our final organizational strategy and structure update resulting from our collaboration with Building for Mission. In case you missed it, you can watch the recording here. 

We've highlighted below our vision, strategy, and the organizational structure we are building toward. In the weeks and months ahead we'll be continuing to expand on this!

And a big thank you to everyone who has attended our strategy and structure updates and weighed in with their thoughts, ideas, and questions.
 
 
 
Introducing:
CHN's Transitional Leadership Team!

It is with great honor that we introduce the 3 members of our inaugural Leadership Team! With Ashley and Amanda, this team of 5 will be working together for the next year to guide CHN's development and to bring to life our structure to achieve our strategy. We are so grateful for these committed and capable new leaders stepping up to build CHN's impact.
Shuinn Chang

I am a family nurse practitioner based in Southern California with expertise in managed care, population health, and digital health innovation. I became inspired to turn her climate concerns to action when I started connecting the dots between my son's health issues and climate change. Changing my carbon footprint was not enough, and once I learned about the healthcare industry's own carbon footprint, I realized I needed to be a part of a larger movement like Climate Health Now. CHN has drawn me in like a warm hug and encouraged me to continuously do my part towards a better future for our children.
Brenda Nuyen

I am a comprehensive ophthalmologist in Santa Monica. I started my climate journey by joining Al Gore's organization Climate Reality Project. Shortly after, I joined Climate Health Now to be a part of bringing climate advocacy to health care and began giving presentations to internal medicine residency programs in LA about the intersection of climate and health. I currently serve on the Editorial Board of EyeSustain, a global coalition of eye societies and ophthalmologists collaborating to make ophthalmic care and surgery more sustainable. Recently I was accepted into the Climate Advocacy Lab's inaugural Climate + Health Peer Learning Circle.
Nneoma Ojiaku

I am an Obstetrician-Gynecologist who practices in Sacramento. I have a degree in public health and a special interest in health disparities among African American and immigrant populations. I am interested in climate justice, quality improvement, and achieving health equity. I've been a 2022 Climate and Health Equity Fellow through the Medical Society Consortium on Climate and Health. As an OBGYN and mother, I am invested in the effects of climate change on the health and well-being of families presently, and that of future generations. 

 
Deadline Extended for Media Training -
Thursday September 29, 5-6:30p!

You won't want to miss this: nearly 50 people are already registered, and we have room for more!

The Medical Society Consortium on Climate & Health is offering a series of media and message training workshops to state chapters, including Climate Health Now! This is a great opportunity for our membership to learn more about key health-climate messages, tips and lessons on working with media, and best practices for interviews. The training is led by the communications team at Burness, a social change communications firm that has worked with the Consortium since its launch. 

This 1.5 hour virtual training workshop will be offered to CHN members from 5:00 – 6:30 PM PT on Thursday, September 29, 2022. 
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR MEDIA TRAINING!
 
ACTION REQUEST:
Have a minute TODAY? Call Senator Padilla and ask him to say NO to the Dirty Side Deal!

As you may have heard, in return for signing the Inflation Reduction Act, Senator Manchin proposed a "side deal" that will directly harm health by fast tracking more fossil fuel permits, including the Mountain Valley Pipeline. 

There is now a letter for Senators to sign initiated by Senator Jeff Merkley calling for the Dirty Deal to be separated from the continuing resolution, which is a must-pass government funding bill that has to be approved by September 30 (next Friday!) to avoid a government shutdown. 

In this context, California Senator Padilla is a crucial voice and there is a huge opportunity for him to stand up to protect climate, health, and frontline communities -- but he hasn't done so yet! 

If you haven't already, please take this action:

Call, message, or Tweet at Senator Padilla. The message is: "I am (a X health professional from California) and I am calling on Senator Padilla to (1) publicly oppose the Manchin dirty deal and (2) join the Senate letter circulating to oppose linking the dirty deal to the continuing resolution and publicly announce joining that letter."

Padilla's DC office line: (202) 224-3553

Look up Padilla's local office numbers here

Send an email message to Senator Padilla here

You can also Tweet this message: Senator @AlexPadilla4CA, I call on YOU to join @SenJeffMerkley @SenBooker @SenDuckworth
in asking for a separate vote on Manchin's side deal. To protect health: stop fast-tracking fossil fuels, #StopMVP, & stop attacks on NEPA/CWA!

Curious to learn more? Check out this briefing packet for Congressional Staffers put together by the Center for Biologic Diversity.
 

My Green Doctor is a free money-saving & climate-saving membership benefit from CHN.  Members use My Green Doctor’s “Meeting-by-Meeting Guide” to learn how to adopt environmental sustainability, save resources, and help create healthier communities.  The program adds just five minutes to each regular office staff meeting or weekly office “huddle”, making small changes at each meeting that over time really add up.


Everyone in your practice can register as Partner Society members at www.MyGreenDoctor.org or at www.MyGreenDoctor.es.  Use the discount code MGDCHN to save $60 instantly and give full access to My Green Doctor for free.  Ask your practice manager to register today and to put My Green Doctor on your next agenda.  You can do this!
 
My Green Doctor Focus of the Month:
Health Harms of Gas Stoves

Gas stoves are a health risk.  This is true especially for children and the elderly.  People who live in homes with gas stoves have more asthma, lung disease, and perhaps even cancer.  This month, My Green Doctor explains the data and offers advice in a short article that you can share with your patients.  Click this link or scan the QR code below.

We also want to flag that there are significant equity issues when we talk about home electrification and who does and doesn't have access to electrification, underscoring the importance of electrification policies that are equitable and accessible to all!
 

Speaking of decarbonization...Interested in learning more about health care decarbonization? Check out this webinar series from the Department of Health and Human Services called Accelerating Healthcare Sector Action on Climate Change and Health Equity!
 
Climate Health Now Member Spotlight:
Cindy Haag, LM, CPM

Where are you from and where do you live now?

I am an East Coast transplant from New Jersey (exit 9 if you must ask). I currently live in Berkeley, a 3 block walk to the birth center where I work.  


What type of healthcare are you involved with?

I am a midwife.  I am the cofounder and director of Pacifica Family Maternity Center, a free-standing birth center that provides full spectrum midwifery care through pregnancy, birth and postpartum for the person giving birth and the newborn. It is a beautiful space if you want to come visit.

Was there a specific event or experience that caused you to become concerned about climate change?

Well, I didn't even know about climate change until Al Gore’s movie “An Inconvenient Truth” came out.  I try not to torture myself with thinking about where we might be today had he been president.  Since then I have been overwhelmed by the changes I have seen in the 20 years I have lived in the Bay Area.  


When and how did you become involved in climate advocacy?

Since I was a child my family and I have been environmentally conscious.  I have long been an advocate for decreasing single use plastic.  I wash and reuse plastic bags for vegetables until they are disintegrating.  It is much more recently that my focus has been on the climate crisis. 

I was telling someone that if I were not a midwife I would be a climate change activist and she asked me why I did not do both! CHN is my first real entry into doing this work.

Who inspires you to do this type of work?

My daughter Elia and all the nearly 1500 babies I have helped into this world. 

Are you working on any environmental justice projects currently?

At the birth center we are doing many things to decrease our use of plastic and to have a gentler imprint on the planet.  I am always happy to swap ideas with others.  I would like to keep working on supporting Sutter in their decarbonization, but it is hard from outside the system.  I am excited to work with my team with our projects through the Climate Health Organizing Fellowship!  


What do you do to recharge?

My daily yoga keeps me sane.  I love hiking and dancing (COVID safe, of course).  Playing with our 3 cats Ernie, Bert and Macy Gray reminds me of the importance of playfulness.  Daily Wordles in English and Spanish are a fun distraction.


What are two books that left an impact on you?

I am currently reading Active Hope by Joanna Macy and Chris Johnstone.  I find it helpful during this crazy and scary time.  Over the years I continually revisit all of Eckhart Tolle’s work and also find it soothing.
 
Supporting Proposition 30:
The Clean Cars and Clean Air Act

CHN has signed on as a supporter of Proposition 30, also called the Clean Cars and Clean Air Act. This measure addresses two of the largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution in our state: transportation and wildfires, and has broad support from a coalition of health, public health, labor, business, and community organizations. 

On September 14 a press conference was held on the steps of Oakland City Hall. Ashley McClure spoke as a physician caring for patients in Oakland and a climate health advocate in support of the proposition!
 
SB1137 VICTORY:
Setbacks from Oil & Gas Drilling for Californians!

After years of organizing from frontline communities in California and several prior failed attempts to pass legislation mandating setbacks between oil drilling and schools, residences, hospitals and healthcare facilities, jails and more, SB1137 passed the State Senate and Assembly and was signed into law by Governor Newsom on September 16! You can read VISION's press release here. This victory is a huge testament to the power of community organizing and community voices and the work of frontline California communities and organizations like VISION, CEJA, APEN, PSR-LA, and others.

A huge thanks to the many CHN members who made calls, sent emails, Tweeted, and attended legislative lobby meetings to encourage a YES vote on SB1137. 

However, the fight is not yet over: a referendum was just filed that would undo the law. We'll continue to follow VISION's lead on next steps - stay tuned for how you can help continue the fight for setbacks.

 
Calling All California MD/DOs and Medical Students: Register for California Medical Association's First-Ever Climate Health Event!

For the first time ever, the California Medical Association is hosting an event related to climate change and health -- and Climate Health Now is a co-sponsor! 

We want to show CMA that climate change is a topic that is important to California physicians by having as many people as possible register! You do NOT need to be a CMA member to register - the event is open to any California physician (MD/DO) and medical students.

The event is called "Understandingthe Climate Health Crisis & How California Physicians Can Make an Impact." It will take place on Friday, October 21 from 2-4 pm, with both an in-person option in Los Angeles and a virtual option.  Click the button below to register -- and for non-CMA members, you'll need to click a few extra buttons to register on the website first, but you do not need to join CMA to do so. 
REGISTER FOR CMA'S FIRST EVER CLIMATE HEALTH EVENT HERE!
 
And Speaking of California Medical Association...

It has been exciting to see CMA standing up for frontline communities and speaking out on SB 1137 (the oil and gas setbacks bill) and about climate and health generally! This is due in large part to advocacy from many CMA members across the state, including many CHN members. Let's keep it up! The picture below includes a delegation of CMA members who were invited to attend the bill signing for SB 1137. 
 
Donate to Climate Health Now!

This year we want to resource working for our dreams of a safe and healthy future for all our families. CHN is looking to fundraise to hire our first-ever staff.

We have raised $65,000 and need to raise $36,000 before we start recruiting. We are always accepting tax-deductible donations and thank you for considering. Click below to donate - and please help spread the word!
DONATE TO CHN!
 
What We're Reading
  • Nneoma Ojiaku's piece published by Urban Resilience calling on Sacramento to develop a plan for extreme heat - HERE
  • Ashley McClure's Letter to the Editor in support of Proposition 30 published in the Mercury News - HERE
  • Linda Rudolph, Lisa Patel, and Naomi Beyeler's journal article on the Inflation Reduction Act - and its potential to improve health in the short- and long terms - HERE
 
Save the Dates and Up Next

 
Shout Outs and Thank Yous!

  • To Shuinn Chang, Nneoma Ojiaku, and Brenda Nuyen for answering the call to lead by joining the CHN Transitional Leadership Team
  • To Brenda Nuyen for joining the inaugural Climate + Health Leadership Circle through the Climate Advocacy Lab
  • To Chelsea Young for the member spotlight and to Cindy Haag for being spotlighted
  • To Ashley McClure for speaking at the Prop 30 press conference
  • To Amanda Millstein and Ashley McClure for speaking at the California Urgent Care Association annual meeting about climate health advocacy and the imperative for health community involvement in the climate movement
  • To Bonnie Hamilton for being part of the California Medical Association delegation that was invited to Governor Newsom's historic climate bill signing

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