Climate change is a health issue
Climate change is a public health emergency. Our advocacy focuses on policies that reduce emissions, address health inequities, and build resilience across communities. We bring the unique and powerful voice of health professionals to climate campaigns statewide.
Latest: WPSR joins 20 organizations across the PNW calling on Senators to co-sponsor SB 4214, Senator Sanders’ AI Data Center Moratorium Act.
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I-2066 defeated! The initiative, which posed to repeal legislation pushing the state towards renewable energy, was struck down by the state supreme court. WPSR was a co-litigant in a case. WPSR Board Member Dr. Mark Vossler is quoted in the release: “Initiative 2066, if enacted, would have set back health protections decades, undermining common sense clean air policy designed to safeguard Washington residents from harmful pollution.”
WPSR Latest: Read Dr. Breck Lebegue's new op-ed in The News Tribune, Maybe we shouldn’t expand airports. Trains would serve WA better, detailing why clean regional passenger rail is better for public health than expanding airport infrastructure. (8/26)
Climate Latest
What our task force has been working on.
Doctors, nurses, and health professionals taking action and speaking out for our climate. Members lead our education efforts, speak with decisionmakers, research, and organize - meeting monthly to plan and campaign on our priority issues.
The Climate and Health Task Force
Our Work - Highlights
WPSR led a group of 20 organizations representing the Stop Northwest Gas Expansion coalition have sent a joint letter to U.S. Senators Murray, Cantwell, Wyden, and Merkley urging them to co-sponsor Senator Bernie Sanders’ Artificial Intelligence Data Center Moratorium Act (S.B. 4214). Unchecked data center growth is driving new fossil fuel infrastructure, including gas pipeline expansions and polluting compressor stations that threaten local air quality, public health, clean energy targets, and consumer utility bills.
Read Dr. Breck Lebegue's new op-ed in The News Tribune, Maybe we shouldn’t expand airports. Trains would serve WA better, detailing why clean regional passenger rail is better for public health than expanding airport infrastructure.
Comments to the EPA on Public Participation on Air Permitting: The EPA is considering reducing the need for public participation on some air quality permit requirements. WPSR’s comments emphasize the health impacts of fossil fuel emissions and the role of public participation in community health. Read the blog.
WPSR launches microplastics fact sheet on health and climate harms related to microplastics. Check it out here!
SOLAR IN YAKIMA: Task Force member Alee Perkins, MD helped to lift a countywide moratorium in Central Washington.
Dr. Breck Lebegue featured in Sierra Magazine on the health impacts of foced coal plant reopenings (02/11/26)
EPA Deregulations and Attacks on Public Health: Read our explainer