We Are the "Ologists" Fixing What Other "Ologists" Broke
Dear Friends,
My niece once said that when she grew up, she wanted to be an “ologist” who fixed what other “ologists” had broken. I often think that is what SEHN does—we not only help repair the damage from all the inventions that have gone awry but we help prevent future harm.
Think of all the problems caused by plastics, toxic chemicals, the internal combustion engine, problems with names like cancer and climate change. Our steady, dedicated work is designed to create the conditions conducive to health. This is not an abstraction. Our ologists compile all the science to assist communities, from stopping more fracking to siting another pipeline. We identify other scientists—hydrogeologists, economists and engineers—and bring them into coalitions working on, for example, carbon capture and storage. We serve as expert witnesses in administrative proceedings. We write policy papers and convene coalitions and challenge state and federal agency rules.
In the past few months:
Carmi Orenstein and Sandra Steingraber, with their colleagues at the SEHN program Concerned Health Professional of New York (CHPNY), released the ninth edition of the fracking science Compendium and have been thrilled with the still-in-motion response. Media pickup has been impressive, with pieces by Bronx News12, CBS 6 News, Gothamist, and Inside Climate News. As of this writing, we’ve reached thousands through the educational social media campaign that has only just started and will continue through at least the end of the year. There were over 1,800 views of the full online Compendium document in the first two weeks, and we’ve had wide U.S. and international participation in post-launch webinars.
Click the image above to be taken to concernedhealthny.org/compendium
Sandra wrote a new Compendium chapter addressing the risks and harms of gas-burning kitchen stoves—the tailpipes of the fracking pipeline that fill our homes with asthma-inducing nitrogen dioxides and cancer-causing benzene. Compiling and summarizing the findings of decades of peer-reviewed research, translating it into plain-spoken English, and getting it into the hands of environmental justice groups working on building electrification campaigns in public housing was a deeply meaningful project for her. Our press conference last month highlighted these results, and we attracted to our virtual podium several New York state legislators who are championing relevant legislation.
Ted Schettler’s unique expertise on the public health hazards and risks of CO2 pipelines, toxic exposures from accidents and fires, as well as hazardous chemicals in consumer products has been in high demand. He has served as expert witness in CO2 pipeline permit hearings in Iowa and will soon do so in Illinois. He consulted with a councilmember from Lahaina, Hawaii, about stabilizing the toxic ash from the tragic fires in Maui and how to safely re-open schools. Ted continues to address the ongoing chemical threats to residents of East Palestine, Ohio—many of whom have not been able to return home—following the February 2023 train derailment. As part of his work on the advisory committee of the Collaborative for Health and Environment, he works to expose the failures of “advanced recycling” technologies to even begin to address global ecosystem plastic pollution.
Carmi contributed her writing and analysis to address the toxic and radioactive mess at the Santa Susana Field Laboratory in California, caused by a group of ologists who were conducting nuclear research and testing rockets. Recently, a member of a state board holding hearings on the cleanup called for more attention to the precautionary principle, noting its frequent mention in recently submitted public comments. The precautionary principle is at the center of SEHN philosophy to prevent harm rather than have to clean it up after the fact, and we’re thrilled at this example of its place in the public’s consciousness.
I convened a working group on CO2 pipelines that was instrumental in getting a federal agency called the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration to hold a public meeting on CO2 pipeline safety in Des Moines, Iowa, of all places, and was also an expert witness alongside Ted for the CO2 pipeline permit hearing in Iowa. Permitted state by state, in Iowa alone, three CO2 pipelines were proposed that would have totaled thousands of miles of new pipelines. We threw our full weight behind this wheel to stop them.
Click image to be taken to carboncapturefacts.org
We created a website chock full of accurate, ethical science and policy on carbon capture and storage. We did this on behalf of a large coalition of organizations. Our graphic designer, Mo Banks, designed punchy memes calling attention to the risks and injustices of these misguided technologies, that any organization can use in their newsletters, social media, and on their websites. We share!
I want to end by recognizing the fact that we are in a polycrisis. War, climate change, pandemics among humans and other species, the rise of autocracy. The polycrisis is characterized by extreme uncertainty about the future. The past is no longer useful as a predictor for what is to come.
So, how do we at SEHN know if we are actually helping bring peace, health and democracy rather than adding to the burden basket carried by the Earth and those least able to bear it?
We look for solutions that address more than one problem, that add to resilience and health, that are more just. Sandra Steingraber said that every fracking ban was a win for democracy since fossil fuels are the lifeblood of autocrats and money in politics. We know that a community with clean water and air is more likely to have children able to function in schools. Healthy forests are less likely to be destroyed by rampaging insects and fire.
This past year has been one of the most demanding and active for all of us at SEHN. There have been so many calls for our services and in many new areas. (Do you know about enhanced oil recovery? Stay tuned.) We need your support more than ever. The world is on fire. We have pledged our lives to health and well-being. Will you give your support?
