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Dear Friends,
Twenty-five years ago, a small group of people began a journey together trying to solve environmental and public health problems caused, in part, by the misuse of science. They created the Science and Environmental Health Network. Many of you have served on our board and staff, given money, or partnered with us over the years. The world is different because of your many contributions of time, money, ideas. In this issue of The Networker we trace ideas that began with the precautionary principle, leading to ecological medicine and the rights of future generations. These ideas were catalyzed at meetings and then released in statements and declarations. All of them have now taken root in the real world. We end by describing a big new project that builds on the body of work you helped create. We hope you will make a contribution now to support this new work. Many of you already have, and for this we thank you. We simply could not do this without you. That is a scientifically verifiable fact!
In solidarity, and with gratitude,
Carolyn Raffensperger, Ted Schettler, Ann Manning, Sherri Seidmon, & Kayhla Cornell
Much of SEHN’s work over the past 25 years has been prompted by one difficult question or another. “Why is the media getting the science of dioxin so wrong?” “What alternatives are there to risk assessment for making environmental decisions?” “What are the ethical issues and values embodied in the precautionary principle?”
When we got an inkling of an answer, we frequently convened groups of people, crossing disciplinary boundaries to test the answer, flesh it out and articulate it in a compelling way. Once we had a consensus on the answer, we sometimes issued a declaration or statement. These function like manifestos -- the time-honored way of defining a problem, asserting principles and calling for action. Read more in the enclosed e-magazine.
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Many of you will recognize our latest guest on the WCFFG conversations podcast-- she used to work with us! kaitlin butler is currently a Senior Immigration Specialist with Salt Lake City, Utah. kaitlin's work has been at the crossroads of environment and public health, climate and intergenerational justice, decision-making in the face of climate change communication, and the social dimensions of climate risk.
In this conversation kaitlin fills us in on her work after SEHN and her thoughts on the climate crisis. LISTEN HERE
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